Q: How can I apply for FEMA assistance?

A. Start by visiting www.readyhaywood.com/fema

Q: What donations are needed?

A:  At this time monetary donations are the most helpful. Donate at: United Way of Haywood or your preferred charitable organization.

Q: How can I support local businesses as recovery progresses?

A. For Haywood County residents, consider shopping local whenever you can. For folks outside the county, check out this list of businesses that have online shopping options or gift cards: https://visithaywood.com/blog/give-the-gift-of-haywood/

Phone: 1-800-621-3362

Online: www.disasterassistance.gov

Learn about the WNC Disaster Declaration: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4827

Learn more about the FEMA application process: www.readyhaywood.com/fema

Disaster Recovery Center @ HCC High Tech Center
112 Industrial Drive, Waynesville

M – F
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Debris Removal:

• Place debris beside, not on the road
• Should be lined up next to state-maintained, not private roads
• Separate tree debris from construction material
• Take photos of debris for FEMA documentation

For FEMA documentation purposes, take photos and keep detailed records of the damage and debris on your property.

No Longer Accepting Donations. Please consider contributing to financial needs at: United Way Haywood

Haywood Christian Ministries
Flood Relief and Food Pantry Drive-Through
150 Branner Ave., Waynesville
Hours: M – F, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Canton First Baptist
208 Academy Street
Hours: Mon – Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Weber Charcoal Grills & Heating Assistance Available.
Contact: Mike Wood 828-421-1238

• Bethel Rural Community Organization
  MANNA food distributions and internet access from outside the building
• North Hominy Community Development Center
  Manna Food Pantry, 3rd Thursday of each month 9 – 10 a.m.
• Pigeon Community Multicultural Center, 450 Pigeon St. Waynesville
  9 am – 4 pm
  Meals daily at 2:00
  The Center has water, power, charging stations, shovels, trash bags, and pet food
• Fines Creek Community Center, 190 Fine Creek Road, Clyde
• First United Methodist, 566 S Haywood St., Waynesville
  9 am – Noon
  Food, clothing, and shower access available
• Clyde Central Methodist
  Offering Meals: Monday – Saturday, 12 – 6 p.m. NO DONATIONS needed
• Crabtree Baptist Church
  Tuesdays & Thursdays 1 – 4 p.m.

Rebuilding Together: Mountain Projects Supports Displaced Households

HAYWOOD AND JACKSON COUNTIES – Hurricane Helene has brought both life-altering challenges and a wave of generosity to communities in western North Carolina. Three weeks after the disaster, Mountain Project is working to meet unmet basic needs of displaced families.

“We understand the profound impact this crisis has had on WNC communities, and Mountain Projects is here to offer a helping hand,” says Patsy Davis, Executive Director. “Our team is committed to ensuring that disadvantaged households receive the resources they need as we work toward long-term solutions.”

Mountain Projects, as part of its ongoing mission in Haywood and Jackson Counties, takes a whole-person approach to addressing needs and focuses on efforts that contribute to community stability. In addition to providing essential services to those experiencing poverty, Mountain Projects is delivering disaster relief to displaced families with unmet emergency needs.

Families and individuals in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Mountain Projects at 828-452-1447 or visit the office in Waynesville at 2177 Asheville Road, or 154-B Medical Park Loop in Sylva. The following is a brief summary of available services:

Mountain Projects Disaster Recovery Services

Affordable Insurance Counseling & FEMA Application Assistance: The GetCoveredWNC Team assists individuals and families with navigating insurance claims and completing FEMA applications, helping to maximize available recovery funds.

Emergency Transportation & Essential Supplies Delivery:

Haywood Transit offers emergency transportation services and delivers essential items to homebound residents.

Housing Rehabilitation & Weatherization:

For families with minor home damage or those who have lost their heating source, Mountain Projects assesses the situation and can take steps to restore safety and warmth.

Resale Store Vouchers for Clothing:

Families in need of replacement clothing or household items can receive vouchers from Mountain Projects’ resale stores to replace what was lost.

Senior Services – Drive-Thru Meals:

The Congregate Nutrition Site in Waynesville continues to serve seniors through drive-thru meal services, ensuring they receive nutritious meals while other resources are disrupted.

Emergency Funds for Unmet Needs:

Mountain Projects offers financial assistance for critical needs such as rehousing deposits and basic necessities.

Referrals to Partner Organizations:

Mountain Projects connects families to a network of partner organizations, ensuring comprehensive support through additional resources.

Heating Assistance & Repairs:

As winter approaches, Mountain Projects provides heating assistance and repairs, ensuring families can stay warm.

Housing Availability Information:

Mountain Projects compiles and shares up-to-date information on housing availability to help displaced families find safe, affordable places to live.

Affordable, Self-Help Housing:

Mountain Projects develops affordable housing infrastructure and supports the USDA Self-Help Housing process. The organization is currently seeking land for replacement housing. Interested households can call 828-452-1447 to apply or visit the SMHP website: https://smokymountainhousing.org to qualify for assistance.

Resources Pickup:

Displaced families can visit Mountain Projects offices in Waynesville or Sylva to access supplies such as diapers, blankets, heaters, dehumidifiers, and food boxes. If we can’t assist, we will connect you with a partner agency. Call 828-452-1447 or drop by for help.

The Gary Sinise Foundation is partnering with Never Alone Widows to provide critical support to first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS), active military, veterans, and widows of these groups. 

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please visit the Gary Sinise Foundation’s website and fill out the assistance form. These organizations are here to help during this challenging time, ensuring that our community heroes and their families receive the support they deserve. 

https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/contact  

• Duke Energy: 800-419-6356 (to report outages call 800-543-5599 or text “OUT” to 57801
• • https://www.dukeenergyupdates.com/
  • https://www.duke-energy.com/info/carolinas-restoration
• HEMC: 828-452-2281
• Canton Water: 828-648-2376
• Waynesville Water: 828-456-3706

• Haywood County Sheriff Office:  (828) 452-6666
• Canton Police: 828-648-2376
• Waynesville Police: 828-456-5363
• Maggie Valley Police: 828-926-0867
• NC Highway Patrol: 828-298-4252
• Animal Control: 828-456-5338
• Department of Social Services: 828-452-6620
• Road Conditions: DriveNC.gov

Was your private well flooded or damaged during Hurricane Helene? You may need to disinfect and sample your well to ensure safe drinking water.

Haywood County Environmental Health is offering free well disinfecting kits and water collection kits for flood-affected private well users in Haywood County.

📍 Pick Up Location:
Haywood County Development Services
157 Paragon Parkway, Suite 200, Clyde, NC 28721
(Next to Tractor Supply Co.)

For more information, contact Haywood County Environmental Health at (828) 452-6682.

• Ag assistance number: 828 452 2741 ex 3
• NC Department of Agriculture: 1-866-645-9403
• Haywood Cooperative Extension Website
• For assistance related to farm animals, crops, food safety at home, or family activities, visit Haywood County NC Cooperative Extension.

💼 What is the Helene Recovery Grants Program?
Designed to provide financial assistance to businesses impacted by Helene, these grants will empower entrepreneurs to rebuild and thrive in their communities.

🔍 Who Can Apply?
If you’re a business owner and are physically located in one of the following Western North Carolina counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, or Yancey; or is located in the Qualla Boundary, we encourage you to explore this opportunity! 

📝 Learn More & Apply:
For more information and to access the application, visit: https://appalachiancommunitycapitalcdfi.org/wnscb-grant

Application window open from Oct. 30 – Nov. 27, 2024

Due to an overwhelming number of applications, we are closing the application period early. The new deadline is Monday, Nov. 11 at noon.

Flood-impacted businesses in Haywood County can apply for up to $25,000 in grant funds thanks to a program available through the Haywood Advancement Foundation and the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority.

The Haywood County Small Business Recovery Grant Program: Hurricane Helene Response, is designed to support small businesses in Haywood County that were impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Initial funding of $100,000 from both Haywood Advancement and Haywood County Tourism Authority jump-started the grant program.

“The goal is to provide financial assistance to help businesses recover, rebuild, and remain operational following the damages caused by the storm,” said, David Francis, Haywood Chamber President and Managing Director of Haywood Advancement.

“Our hope is to retain and maintain a diverse small business economy that has long been the backbone of our county.”

Eligible businesses can receive up to $25,000 to cover rebuilding, recovery, and operational losses attributable to Hurricane Helene. Business losses due to reduced tourism are also eligible.

To qualify, businesses must:
• Be a for-profit business with 25 or fewer employees operating within Haywood County.
• Use funds for working capital to maintain or restart operations; repairs to owned or leased buildings; to replace inventory lost or damaged during the storm, to cover lease or mortgage payments on business property;
to buy or repair equipment or to cover payroll shortages due to temporary closures;
• Be in good financial standing.

The application process requires documentation of damage, disclosure of any insurance coverage and claims documentation, and a narrative on how funds were spent, as well as photos.

Grant funds must be spent within six months of receipt. The program opened on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, and will last until available funds are awarded.

To apply for or donate to the program, visit haywoodadvancement.org or contact David Francis at dfrancis@haywoodchamber.com or 828/456.3021

Because donations for the program are still coming in, there is no firm estimate on how much assistance will be available. So far, $350,000 has been pledged to the program.

Major donors to date include:
· David and Annie Colquitt, Cataloochee Ranch/The Swag
· Haywood County Tourism Development Authority
· NC Commerce
· United Way of Waynesville

“I can’t give enough thanks to the donors, Corrina Ruffieux, executive director of Haywood County Tourism Development Authority and the TDA board for their support. Their contributions are the very definition of what makes Haywood County Strong,” said Francis, “Every business that doesn’t bounce back after Hurricane Helene makes Haywood County more vulnerable as we meet the challenges left in the path of Hurricane Helene.”

The program is being handled through the Haywood Advancement Foundation; a nonprofit corporation established in 1990 to oversee economic development and support the community of Haywood County.