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Hurricane Helene Disaster Resources

Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists - Click here to view

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Peer Warmline 
People in need of assistance and wanting to speak with a peer can call the warmline at 1-855-PEERS NC (1-855-733-7762).

The Peer Warmline gives callers the option to speak with a Peer Support Specialist. Peer Support Specialists (or “peers”) are people living in recovery with mental illness and/or substance use disorder who provide support to others who can benefit from their lived experience.  

Responder Assistance Initiative Information and Resource Line 866-731-6901 This confidential, toll-free line provides access to public safety professional peer support, wellness resources, and clinical services. - Click here for more details. 

Disaster Helpline 
SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365. For assistance in ASL call 1-800-985-5590 using your preferred relay provider.

Find a Shelter
American Red Cross - find a shelter

Finding Friends and Family after Hurricane Helene
American Red Cross 

State of North Carolina (for the latest updates and information) 

FEMA Information

FEMA has begun to take applications for the Individual Assistance Program. There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App, or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows North Carolinians access to a wider range of assistance and funds for serious needs.

What You’ll Need When You Apply:

  • A current phone number where you can be contacted.
  • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
  • Your Social Security number.
  • A general list of damage and losses.
  • Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

If your employment has been lost or interrupted because of a federally declared disaster, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

DUA is a federal program that provides temporary payments for people who, as a direct result of a disaster:

  • No longer have the job that provided their primary source of income.
  • Are unable to reach their place of employment.
  • Cannot work because of an injury caused by the storm.
  • Were unable to begin employment or self-employment due to the storm. Have become the major supplier of household income due to a storm-related death of the previous major supplier of household income.

Click here to read more.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Raising the standard o care and improving access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the US.

Click here to read more.

NC DHHS Webpage

Temporary Flexibilities in Place for Medicaid Beneficiaries - Click here  

 

Resources in Response to Hurricane Helene 

As communities prepare for Hurricane Helene to make landfall, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has resources to help children, families, and communities navigate the impacts of a hurricane and potential tornadoes, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. These resources include:

For Communities Who Are Preparing

Ready.gov – recommendations for an emergency supply kit and evacuation considerations

Ready Kids – ideas for talking to children and involving them in family disaster preparedness

Help Kids Cope – mobile app with scripts and ideas to support children before, during, and after natural disasters

Hurricane Response Resources

Here for Each Other: Family Guide (from Sesame Street)

Resources on Traumatic Grief

Resources on Tornadoes

Psychological First Aid

The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA; En Español). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. The PFA Wallet Card (En Español) provides a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training (En Español) course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. PFA Handouts include: 

For community and mental health providers who plan to continue working with affected communities long-term, review Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR; En Español) and take the SPR Online course (En Español).

 Mobile Apps

Additional Resources from our Partners:

Disaster Helpline

SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.

Additional Resources

For those that are needing technical assistance or additional resources, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Melissa Brymer at [email protected]. 

The US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) (resources to help veterans in the event of a disaster)

Disaster relief hotline: Call 800-507-4571
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255
Veteran benefits administration hotline: Call 800-827-1000
Pharmacy customer care number: Call 866-400-1243
Vet center counseling hotline: Call 877-927-8387