RESPONDING TO HURRICANE HELENE

[NEWS] North Carolina Community College System Launches Statewide Fund for Hurricane Helene Relief

North Carolina Hurricane Helene (DR-4827-NC) has been devastating to western North Carolina. The Federal Major Disaster Declaration (Declared September 28, 2024) identified 26 counties and tribal areas for immediate federal help. NC has 14 community colleges that serve the 26 Designated Areas, and together with their respective foundations, will provide critical services throughout the long-term recovery for their faculty, staff, students, and community. 

Cash is Best: The NC Community Colleges Foundation encourages everyone interested in supporting the Hurricane Helene response and recovery effort to make a direct financial contribution to all or as many of the 14 community college foundations in the Designated Areas. This list provides quick and easy links to make online contributions.   

How to volunteer and donate responsibly: The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (National VOAD) is the official association of trusted organizations that collaborate with FEMA on Federal response and recovery efforts, including the coordination of trained volunteers and in-kind donations. In addition to contributing to the 14 community college foundations, consider making an additional contribution to VOAD member nonprofit organizations of your choice that are active in the Tropical Storm Helene response in NC. Also, learn more about how you can engage responsibly with VOADs, review the list of VOADs, and review FEMA’s guidance on donating and volunteering.

• FEMA Hurricane Helene overview
• FEMA North Carolina Hurricane Helene overview
• North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper Press Release (09/29/2024), “North Carolina Receives Federal Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina”
• NC Disaster Relief Fund 
• List of NC Designated Areas (Disaster 4827 Designated Counties and Tribal Areas; i.e., “Individuals and households in these designated counties are eligible to apply for financial and direct services.” Data Sources: FEMA, ESRI; Initial Declaration: 09/28/2024; Disaster Federal Registry Notice: 09/28/2024; see how a disaster gets declared)

1. Alexander (County)
2. Alleghany (County)
3. Ashe (County)
4. Avery (County)
5. Buncombe (County)
6. Burke (County)
7. Caldwell (County)
8. Catawba (County)
9. Clay (County)
10. Cleveland (County)
11. Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina
12. Gaston (County)
13. Haywood (County)
14. Henderson (County)
15. Jackson (County)
16. Lincoln (County)
17. Macon (County)
18. Madison (County)
19. McDowell (County)
20. Mitchell (County)
21. Polk (County)
22. Rutherford (County)
23. Transylvania (County)
24. Watauga (County)
25. Wilkes (County)
26. Yancey (County)