While Tropical Storm Helene impacts in Cherokee County were relatively minor, FEMA is urging property owners to file for assistance for minor damage that could lead to long-term problems.
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FEMA – the Federal Emergency Management Agency – wants Cherokee County residents to know that the Hurricane Helene disaster application period deadline is Jan. 7, 2025.
“Those who do not apply by this date and later finds they have Helene-related damages may be excluded from disaster recovery cash grants that have now helped more than 138,000 households and individuals began their disaster recovery effort,” FEMA announced.
This applies to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina and residents of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey.
Homeowners and renters in these areas may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for displacement, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses.
Disaster assistance
Disaster survivors who have not yet applied for FEMA assistance should apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, which is the quickest way to apply. Survivors can also apply using the FEMA App on mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is open every day, and help is available in most languages. Those who use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, should give the FEMA representative their number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance on YouTube.
Survivors can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for assistance in-person. To find additional information on DRCs, visit, FEMA.gov/DRC.
Applicants will be contacted by an inspector within 10 days after applying and will be sent a decision letter within 10 days after the inspector’s call. Applicants have 60 days from the date of their decision letter to appeal if denied.
There is also help for FEMA applicants who may need to file an appeal letter after reviewing their Determination Letter. Free legal assistance is still available to disaster survivors and all residents in the 39 disaster declared counties. If you are dealing with: Rental disputes, pre-foreclosure, or mortgage and contractor issues, even fraud and possibly FEMA appeals.
FEMA, in partnership with North Carolina Bar Association, has legal service attorneys available to voluntarily provide legal counseling, advice and, when appropriate, offer legal representation.
For legal assistance, call 866-219-5262 and dial 2657. The toll-free hotline is available 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.
Help with sheltering
At the request of the State of North Carolina, FEMA has extended the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program up until Jan. 11, 2025.
This allows households additional time to identify other housing solutions or make repairs to their home. The extension means FEMA will continue providing free hotel and motel rooms to more than 5000 families that are checked in and lodging at local area hotels.
The agency encourages all participants to stay in touch with FEMA.
FEMA will pay your rent at a place other than your damaged home. This can be a house, an apartment, hotel or recreational vehicle that keeps you near your home, job or school. This includes a security deposit
Funding can also include utilities such as electricity and water. Automated phone calls notify those that become eligible or will continue receiving rental assistance.
“North Carolina is thankful for FEMA’s continued partnership as we work together to ensure that all Helene survivors have safe shelter as they begin the recovery process,” N.C. Emergency Management Director Will Ray said.
“The approval of our extension request of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program through the holiday season is another step to helping North Carolinians recover from this disaster.”
The program has been extended through the night of Jan. 10, 2025, for North Carolina Helene survivors who continue to need temporary shelter. They will check out of lodging Jan. 11, 2025.
To date, more than 10,000 households have taken temporary shelter in Transitional Sheltering Assistance participating hotels; about half have found suitable, longer-term housing and moved on with their recovery.
FEMA will notify households approximately seven days before their checkout dates with the method of communication they selected when originally applying for assistance. A message is also sent to their participants’ disaster assistance accounts if they have set them up on DisasterAssistance.gov.
Details: Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.