Hurricane Helene Response

The impact Hurricane Helene on western North Carolina is devastating. As response and relief work continues, we want to share resources and education to help recovery efforts and support the people of North Carolina.

For immediate information on accessibility and resources (including FEMA and North Carolina Disaster Unemployment Assistance), please visit:

• Support for emotional needs related to Hurricane Helene – call or text 1-800-985-5990
  • This is a national hotline providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. Toll-free and multi-lingual.
• FEMA Individual Assistance Program – call 800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance via the NC Division of Unemployment Services – visit des.nc.gov
• Small business support – visit Hurricane Helene | U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov)
• DriveNC.gov
• NCDPS.gov/Helene
• Call or visit NC 2-1-1

For more resources and answers to frequently asked questions, click here: Hurricane Helene Resources Questions & Answers.

North Carolinians’ goodness shines in moments of crisis. We know it will be a long recovery, but we see neighbors helping neighbors, responders conducting incredibly dangerous search and rescue missions, and good samaritans everywhere helping. We’re keeping the people of western North Carolina in our prayers and we’re going to help them rebuild and recover.

Stop the Spread of Rumors & Misinformation

A lot of misinformation is being shared on social media in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Spreading misinformation & unverified reports hurts people who are already trying to recover from a devastating situation. Please listen to local authorities & follow official guidance. You can help by stopping the spread of rumors and misinformation. FEMA has created a rumor response page to make it easier to get the facts: Hurricane Helene Rumor Response.

Price Gouging & Disaster Repair

Most contractors and tree removal professionals in North Carolina are good business people, and many local merchants pitch in to help their community recover from a disaster. However, some scammers travel to areas that have been hit by storms and other disasters to take advantage of consumers. As of December 16, our office has received more than 475 price gouging complaints largely around groceries and water, hotel, and fuel. 

On October 31, Attorney General Josh Stein sued an alleged Hurricane Helene price gouger for allegedly price gouging North Carolinians for tree removal services in the aftermath of the storm. You can read more here: Attorney General Josh Stein Sues Alleged Hurricane Helene Price Gouger.

The North Carolina Department of Justice’s (NCDOJ) Consumer Protection Division phone line is open for people to report price gouging or other Helene-related concerns. Contact our office at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or www.ncdoj.gov/pricegouging. The Department of Justice reviews price gouging complaints closely and Attorney General Stein will hold price gougers accountable for breaking the law.

As you begin the work of repairing and rebuilding your property, visit NCDOJ’s Disaster Repair page, and follow the tips and recommendations below:

To download these tips as printable fliers click here for English and here for Spanish.

Resources for Renters, Landlords, and Vacation Rentals

• Consumer Protection resources and information if you are renting a home: NCDOJ | Renting a Home
• Consumer Protection resources and information for vacation rentals: NCDOJ | Vacation Rentals
• Disaster Relief Landlord-Tenant Resources
  • NC Pro Bono | Disaster Relief
  • NC Justice Center | Rights of Tenants after Disaster

Donating Safely and Securely

• Choose the charities you know and want to support.
• Look into a charity’s ratings and prior complaints with the Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, Guidestar, the North Carolina Secretary of State, and NCDOJ’s Consumer Protection Division.
• Ask how the charity will spend your donation. You want as much as possible to go to people in need.
• If you’re feeling pressured to give immediately, don’t. Legitimate charities won’t pressure you.
• When you’re making your donation, pay with a credit card through the charity’s website or by calling a phone number you know to be legitimate. Credit cards are best for security and tax purposes, and you can dispute the charge later if there’s a concern.
• If you have questions or concerns, file a complaint at ncdoj.gov/complaint or call us toll-free at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
• If you’d like to donate time, learn more on volunteer opportunities at: ncvoad.org/volunteer.
• One of the reputable charities doing work in western North Carolina is the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: www.nc.gov/donate.