Recovery Resources
Scroll below to find additional resources to help North Carolina communities recover from Hurricane Helene. If you have information about other recovery resources not listed below, you can send details to wncrecovery@nc.gov.
Recovery Funding for Communities
Area Development Grant Funding
A resource for local governments
Offered through the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission uses congressionally appropriated funds to invest in Appalachia’s economic and community development through grants.
Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)
A resource for farmers
Offered through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency
USDA’s Farm Service Agency is issuing up to $10 billion in direct payments to eligible agricultural producers of eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). These one-time economic assistance payments will help commodity producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices.
FY2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program
A resource for local governments and nonprofit organizations
Offered through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program makes approximately $1.45 billion in disaster recovery funding available nationwide to communities that received major disaster declarations due to hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024.
Small Business Infrastructure Grants
A resource for local governments
Offered through the North Carolina Department of Commerce Rural Economic Development Division
Local governments in North Carolina located in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene can now apply for grants from the new Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program (SmBIZ), a $55 million fund designed to rebuild the damaged infrastructure that small businesses rely on to operate and thrive. Examples of qualifying projects include water, sewer, gas, telecommunications, high-speed broadband, electrical utility, sidewalk and curb infrastructure, and other repairs that remove barriers and restore or increase access to impacted small businesses.
Immediate Relief Support
Resources for local governments and nonprofit organizations
Offered through the Golden LEAF Foundation
Golden LEAF is making resources available to organizations to support immediate relief for individuals and families, including repairing homes, addressing unmet needs, and helping with the transition out of FEMA-supported housing programs.
Hurricane Helene Business Edge Fund
A resource for local governments
Offered through the North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS)
The Hurricane Helene Business Edge Fund offers $500,000 in grant funding for local workforce boards most impacted by the storm to help western North Carolina communities retain jobs and businesses. Workforce development boards in the region may apply for funding and then may provide grants of up to $10,000 each to eligible businesses and community-based organizations. To apply, businesses should contact their local workforce development board or NCWorks Career Center.
WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund
A resource for small businesses
Mountain BizWorks, with support from the Golden LEAF Foundation, is providing rapid relief loans to western North Carolina small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP)
A resource for farmers
Offered through the USDA's Farm Service Agency
The American Relief Act, 2025, provides disaster relief payments to producers who suffered revenue, quality, or production losses regarding crops, trees, bushes, or vines due to qualifying disaster events in calendar years 2023 and 2024.
Support for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
A resource for small businesses
Offered by Appalachian Community Capital
The Down to Earth Lead program is a pilot program that Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) is deploying in Appalachia. The program offers community partners a free, easily accessible form that will connect small business owners and entrepreneurs to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Community Partners onboarded to the platform.
Resource Team Opportunity for Helene-Impacted Communities
A resource for local governments, businesses, or nonprofit organizations
Offered by REDD NC Main Street & Rural Planning (MS&RP) and NC Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
Hurricane Helene-impacted communities can request to receive on-site economic recovery assistance through one- to two-day Resource Team visits that are tailored to meet communities’ unique needs. The Rural Economic Development Division of the NC Department of Commerce will provide ongoing assistance and direct support to help communities implement strategies identified during visits.
Round 3 Cash Flow Loan Program
A resource for local governments
Offered by the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer
Fill out the intent form by August 15, 2025, to officially notify the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer of your local unit of government’s intent to participate in Round 3 of the Hurricane Helene Cash Flow Loan Program.
Assistance with Repairs and Access
Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program
A resource for individuals and families
Offered through the North Carolina Department of Commerce
The Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program is a centralized housing rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement program that will prioritize low- to moderate-income families with seniors aged 62 and older, children, and/or disabled household members impacted by Hurricane Helene in one of 29 listed counties. This program is funded by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
A resource for local governments
Offered through the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is a FEMA-funded program designed to reduce or eliminate future damages and loss following a disaster. HMGP can potentially help with mitigation methods such as structure elevation, structural reinforcement, and the buyout of damaged properties.
Private Roads and Bridges Repair Assistance
A resource for individuals and families
Offered through North Carolina Emergency Management
Property owners across western North Carolina can request assistance with the repair of private roads, culverts, pipes, or bridges damaged by Hurricane Helene. Apply for assistance through the North Carolina Private Road and Bridge Program (NC-PRB).
Tech Resources Finder
A resource for individuals and families
Offered through the North Carolina Department of Information Technology
The Tech Finder Tool is available to help people use the internet, locate public computers and Wi-Fi, and access digital classes across North Carolina. This tool is offered by the NC Department of Information Technology.
Recovery Support for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind
A resource for individuals and families
Offered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Hurricane Helene recovery resources for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind are offered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Get help replacing a lost or damaged hearing aid or cochlear implant and find other recovery-related guidance and resources, including videos in ASL with captions.
Disaster-Related Mental Health Resources
Access Mental Health Support (HOPE4NC)
A resource for individuals and families
Offered through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
There is no right or wrong way to feel in a disaster. It is essential that you have the resources you need, when and where you need them. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services can help people impacted by Helene find someone to talk with. Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990 or the Disability and Disaster Hotline at 800-626-4959. Find and share these and other resources like 988, access to counseling, access to opioid treatment, and emergency access to medication.
Behavioral Health Tipsheet
A resource for individuals and families
Offered from resources provided through the NC Division of Mental Health and the US Department of Health and Human Services
Download a list of more than 40 resources offered to help connect children, adolescents, and adults with tools to support recovery from Hurricane Helene. Share this tipsheet with neighbors, colleagues, and community leaders to help more people find and use these resources.
Resilience Trainings
A resource for local governments, individuals and families, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and farmers
Offered through Resources for Resilience
Attend weekly trainings offered for first responders, health care workers, volunteers, and others who are looking for tools to support their friends, neighbors, and loved ones during this difficult time. This resource is offered by Resources for Resilience in partnership with Vaya Health.
Rapid Resets
A resource for individuals and families
Offered through Resources for Resilience
Rapid Reset tools help us calm down quickly during times of stress. They can be used alone or with someone else when life gets tough. As you use them, pay special attention to any comfortable physical feelings you notice. You may begin to sense changes in your breathing, heart rate, and muscle tension as you de-stress.
Story Workbook: Hurricane Helene
A resource for individuals and families
Offered through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
This story workbook offers as a resource for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their care partners. Care partners can use this book to help explain hurricanes to the person with I/DD. It is written in plain language with visuals to support understanding.
Support for Groups and Organizations
Services for Counties
A resource for local governments
Offered by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
Find resources to help counties affected by Hurricane Helene.
Assistance for Organizations
A resource for nonprofit organizations
Offered by the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits
Access Hurricane Helene recovery resources offered for the nonprofit community through the NC Center for Nonprofits.
Assistance for Businesses and Chambers
A resource for businesses and chamber organizations
Offered by the North Carolina Chamber
Find recovery resources for businesses and chambers offered by the NC Chamber.
Assistance for Cities and Towns
A resource for local governments
Offered by the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM)
Find support for municipalities affected by Hurricane Helene.
UW Helps NC Fund
A resource for nonprofit organizations
Offered through the United Way of North Carolina
Nonprofit organizations located in western North Carolina providing critical housing-related services in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene can request funding through the UW Helps NC Fund. The fund will offer significant financial support to eligible agencies working to stabilize housing for individuals and families impacted by the disaster in western North Carolina, with a special focus on the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).
Assistance for Cities, Towns, and Counties
A resource for local governments
Offered by the UNC School of Government
Local governments can access assistance with Hurricane Helene recovery through the UNC School of Government. Topics include Local Government Authority, Mutual Aid, Finance, Procurement, Utilities, Public Health, and Planning and Permitting.