If you are impacted by Hurricane Helene and need help, call or text The Disability and Disaster Hotline at 800-626-4959 or [email protected].

For up-to-date news and resources:

• NC Department of Public Safety - Hurriance Helene: https://www.ncdps.gov/Helene
• NCDHHS Hurricane Recovery Resources: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/hurricane-helene-recovery-resources

Links to more information

List of Pharmacies that are Open: https://www.ncbop.org/emergencyoperatingpharmacieshelene.html

Temporary Flexibilities in Place for Medicaid Beneficiaries: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2024/10/03/temporary-flexibilities-place-medicaid-beneficiaries-due-hurricane-helene-devastation

Donate to relief efforts: Dept. of Public Safety about the best ways to donate supplies. https://www.ncdps.gov/how-to-donate

Disaster Distress Helpline: The Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) provides crisis support services to anyone impacted by a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene. It is available 24/7 in English or Spanish (Español presiona “2”). You can call or text. For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL callers, please call or text using your preferred Relay provider.

Mental Health and Substance Use Services Support: DMHDDSUS is using the Connections App to make evidence-based support for mental health and substance use recovery available to anyone in Western North Carolina. It is free and confidential. Enroll to get the Connections App.

First Responders and Volunteers Support: DMHDDSUS has launched the Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) to provide mental health support for first responders and volunteers working on our Hurricane Helene disaster response. It is help for the helpers. Hope4NC is available to any first responder or volunteer. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Video from NCDHHS: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=eBqqwY&v=453345417758412&rdid=ryx5huJnj9Dq1bna

Content of video:
While North Carolina has the experience and resources to manage disasters, it’s normal to be overwhelmed before, during or after an event.
Services are offered in ASL and in multiple languages.
-Call 1-800-985-5990 (Disaster Distress Helpline)
-Visit ReadyNC.gov
---------
La preparación y recuperación de desastres son partes de la vida en Carolina del Norte. ¡Nunca es muy temprano o tarde para pedir ayuda!
-Llama a la Línea de Ayuda para los Afectados por Catástrofes al 1-800-985-5990 y oprime 2 para español.
-Visita ReadyNC.gov

Emergency Number: As always, you should call 911 if you are in an emergency situation. 

Report your status: Call 828-820-2761 to report yourself or people you know in Buncombe County and beyond who are not able to be reached. The automated system will ask you to leave your name, address, and cell phone number.

Shelters: There are shelters open in Western North Carolina. You can find them here: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters 

Someone to Talk To: If you are in a personal crisis and need someone to talk with, you can call the Crisis Line at 988. If you are not in an immediate crisis, but need someone to talk with, you can call the North Carolina Warm Line: 1-855-733-7762. 

Power Outages: You can track power outages here https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/power-outages 

Communication Tool: You can use this one page document to help someone communicate with you or to communicate with someone: https://nccdd.org/images/blog/2020/ENGLISH_EMERGENCY_COMMUNICATION_TOOL.pdf 

Show Me Communication Tool Booklet: This communication booklet can help with communications: https://www.nccdd.org/images/article/Forms-docs-brochures/2016/ShowMeBook_2015b.pdf 

Accessibility in Shelters: Here is a checklist for those in or running shelters for accessibility https://www.ncdps.gov/documents/files/shelter-worker-accessibility-checklist/download 

LME/MCOs: LME/MCOs are the key connection for most mental health and developmental disability services. You can find your LME/MCO here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/providers/lme-mco-directory 

North Carolina Emergency Management: The North Carolina Office of Emergency Management has significant information. You can access it here https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management 

Ready.Gov for Disabilities: Here is the national site for disabilities and general emergency information: https://www.ready.gov/disability 

Functional Needs: Here is the specific site from the state emergency management for functional needs https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/access-and-functional-needs-emergency-management 

General Help: If you need general help, you can call 211 or go to https://nc211.org/

• Make a Plan: https://www.readync.gov/plan-and-prepare/make-plan (ASL and Spanish videos available)
• Watch an ASL video: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/readync-asl-video
• Get a Kit: https://www.readync.gov/plan-and-prepare/get-kit (ASL and Spanish videos available)
• Emergency Alerts: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/emergency-alerts (Spanish video available)
• Hurricane Guide: The 2023 North Carolina Hurricane Guide is available in English and Spanish and contains many graphics: https://www.readync.gov/plan-and-prepare/hurricane-guide

Make an emergency kit!

It's important to have an emergency kit ready to support your needs. Some agencies and organizations give out free emergency kits. Or you might need to build your own kit. If so, find a backpack and think about what you want to have in that backpack if you must leave your home to go to an emergency shelter or to evacuate to another safe place. Do you want water? Do you want snacks? Do you need an extra phone charger and a battery pack? Do you have a piece of paper that contains important medical information about you and important phone numbers on it? Keep this and other important papers in a secure, waterproof plastic bag in case your backpack gets wet.  Do you want a book to read or a puzzle to do? You might put all of these in your kit. You might also buy items to keep in your home in case the power goes out and the grocery store is closed, such as bottled water, canned food, toilet paper, paper towels or wipes, and batteries. Read more about how to Make a Kit.

Disaster-Specific Mental Health Resources and Support Toolkit

NCDHHS’ Disaster and Behavioral Health Resources Communications Toolkit includes disaster-specific tips and resources for North Carolinians, information on how to navigate stressful events and where to find mental health support. The materials also offer disaster resources for people living with a disability or as a caregiver, and how to access care if you struggle with substance use. You can use the toolkit to learn safety guidance and help others do the same. Learn more here: Disaster and Behavioral Health Resources Communication Toolkit