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Hurricane Helene Flood Updates
Please see below for important information and available assistance.
financial assistance
If you are in need of financial assistance or relief due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, please complete the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Alternatively, if you are a business customer, you may also contact your Relationship Manager directly.
Relief Information
We have gathered resources and information to help in this time of need. Below, we have State and Federal disaster assistance information, SBA disaster loan information, Hotlines and support telephone numbers, and donation drop-off locations by state.
We have also packaged this information in PDF format, organized by region, for print or download for offline reference when internet service is unavailable. Links to download the packets are toward the bottom of the page.
Please note; this information is current as of 10/11/2024, but may change as the recovery effort progresses.
Federal and State Resources
USA.gov Official Website https://www.usa.gov/hurricane-helene
Learn how the U.S. government is responding to Hurricane Helene. Find resources to help you recover
from the disaster.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Website
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene
To learn how FEMA is actively supporting Hurricane Helene response effort
In Tennessee
On Oct. 2, Gov. Bill Lee announced approval of his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration
for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington. Damage assessments
remain in progress and will inform additional requests to be made to the federal government. This is in
addition to the federal assistance that has already been authorized by FEMA for Carter, Cocke, Greene,
Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties in the previous Emergency Declarations.
With this approval, survivors who were impacted are now able to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance.
Individuals in the declared counties can now apply for direct assistance through FEMA’s IA program. Scroll down for application information.
In North Carolina
The President declared a major disaster for the State of North Carolina on September 28,
2024, as a result of Tropical Storm Helene, pursuant to his authority under the Stafford Act. Scroll down for application information.
FEMA Assistance Information
Those eligible for FEMA’s IA program may receive help with rental assistance, home repair, and personal
property replacement, in addition to other uninsured or underinsured disaster losses.
Apply for Assistance
You can apply for assistance in three ways:
- Online by visiting disasterassistance.gov
- Call 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CDT. Multilingual operators
are available. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned
telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. - Download the FEMA app
Small Business Administration (SBA) Website https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-helene
SBA disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by Hurricane Helene.
Areas eligible for SBA disaster loans:
- Florida
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee – https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=TN-20017
- Virginia
Types of available disaster loans:
- Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
- Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
Get help with your application
Applicants are encouraged to apply online for a disaster loan (if possible). Please call 800‐659‐2955 or schedule an in-person appointment if you have any questions.
Application for Tennessee Residents: https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=TN-20017
Application for North Carolina Residents: https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=NC-20007
Types of available disaster loans:
- Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
- Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
Get help with your application
Applicants are encouraged to apply online for a disaster loan (if possible). Please call 800‐659‐2955 or schedule an in-person appointment if you have any questions.
Application for Tennessee Residents: https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=TN-20017
Application for North Carolina Residents: https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=NC-20007
SBA FAQS
SBA’s disaster loans are available not just to business owners, but to home owners, renters and private nonprofit organizations in the wake of a natural disaster. In order to qualify, the business must be in a declared disaster area.
In 2023, the SBA lent nearly $3 billion to disaster survivors nationwide – including over$670 million for small businesses and over $2.3 billion for homeowners and renters – to help them recover from the financial and physical impacts of manmade and natural disasters, according to the agency.
SBA disaster loans cover losses that are not covered by insurance or by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These are losses that the business could have covered if the disaster had not occurred.
The types of loans include:
- Physical damage loans. Which over the repair and replacement of physical assets.
- Economic Injury Disaster loans, which cover operating expenses after a disaster.
- Mitigation assistance, which provides funding to make improvements to protect against future damage.
Business owners can go online to the SBA’s website to see if they are eligible.
SBA EIDL loans taken out for natural disasters (not to be confused with the Covid-19pandemic-related COVID EIDL loans) are meant to be used for working capital and normal expenses such as the continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities and debt payments. They cannot be used to repair physical damage, refinance debt or buying fixed assets.
The loans are for 30-year terms at rates not to exceed 4%. The first year though, is zero percent interest as well as deferred payments for a year after the loans are disbursed. There are no prepayment fees or penalties.
But the agency requires collateral for loans of $50,000 or more, and real estate is the preferred collateral. Loans of $200,000 or less will not require the business owner to put up their primary residence as collateral if the owner has other assets of equal value to or greater than the amount of the loan.
These terms are significantly better than in previous years, after the SBA took action in 2023
to expand eligibility, boost the dollars for mitigation and extend deferment for small businesses.
Businesses can use this loan to repair or replace real property, machinery, equipment, fixtures, inventory and other improvements that are typically not covered by EIDL loans.
Those terms include:
- Up to $2 million to qualified businesses or most private nonprofit organizations to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance.
- Covers disaster losses not fully covered by insurance or other sources. If required toapply insurance proceeds to an outstanding mortgage on the damaged property, that amount can be included in your disaster loan application.
- Proceeds from insurance coverage on business property may be deducted from theeligible loan amount.
- Interest rates are up to 4% for applicants who cannot obtain credit elsewhere and 8% for those who can obtain credit elsewhere.
These loans can be used to help prevent and mitigate future damage from natural disasters. That can be up to 20% of the total loan, but the SBA must approve of any mitigating measures before the loan is made. There is no cost to apply.
Some possible examples of mitigation include:
- Landscape your property to improve water runoff and drainage.
- Elevate structures.
- Relocate your business outside a flood plain.
- Add a sump pump.
- Convert the lowest floor to a flexible space that is less likely to be damaged in a flood.
SBA NEWS – SBA rolls out other changes to loans, programs
The SBA has been beefing up its loan programs and tweaking its small-business services as part of a wider eff ort to expand lending to the smallest and most underserved businesses. Most recently the agency issued a final rule making it easier for small businesses to refinance some of their debt.
The new rule, which becomes effective on Nov. 14, 2024, revolves around the agency’s504 loan program, simplifying some rules and waiving old restrictions in order to make the loans more flexible and widen the businesses that qualify.
That also includes, for the second time, letting nontraditional lenders apply for one of its Small Business Lending Co. licenses. Lenders interested in the SBA’s off erings can apply
to become an SBLC, which can make loans of up to $5 million across the country through the agency’s principal 7(a) lending program.
The SBA also is taking applications from lenders seeking to become nonprofit Community Advantage SBLCs, which can lend up to $350,000 but only in specific geographic areas. The SBA will accept applications for new SBLCs through Oct. 15. The agency plans to award up to three additional licenses. The SBA in July said it was expanding its Community Advantage SBLC loan maximum
to$500,000 for active lenders. It also was launching an application process for lenders to go up to $1 million for those loans — or $2 million for projects related to climate change.
The agency in June rolled out its Working Capital Pilot Program for its 7(a) lenders, a program carrying fees, rates and terms intended to give small-business owners more flexibility. The fee structure includes a transaction-based loan for individual projects or orders, and an asset-based loan to access funds against a company’s assets.
Owners can go to the SBA’s website for more information or use the agency’s LenderMatch tool to find a lender near them.
SBA surety bond guarantees also went up in March for the first time since 2013. That means the SBA is now able to guarantee bid, performance, payment and ancillary bonds of up to $9 million for all projects and $14 million for federal contracts — up from $6.5million and $10 million, respectively.
The SBA also recently revamped and rebranded its existing 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program — now called the Empower to Grow program — which offers customized, one-on-one training and consultation to qualifying small-business owners.
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Website
https://www.tn.gov/tema/updates/hurricane-helene.html
News, Updates and Information for Tennessee Residents Impacted by Hurricane Helene
Disaster Hotline: 423-830-2696
The Disaster Hotline is operational from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. This hotline is available for community
members, donors, and national/international organizations seeking information or requiring specific
logistical considerations about disaster relief efforts.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance in Tennessee
Individuals whose jobs were impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for benefits through Tennessee’s unemployment program. the Tennessee Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development is now accepting applications.
Qualifying counties:
- Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, Washington
Apply online at (https://jobs4tnui.tn.gov/claimant/_/) or call 1-800-621-3362
North Carolina Department of Safety
https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene
Information and resources for North Carolina residents and visitors who were impacted by Hurricane Helene
Storm Support Numbers
Call 911
Life-threatening emergencies only.
Call 211 or 1-888-892-1162
For shelters, food assistance, welfare checks and additional storm recovery help.
Call 211or 1-888-892-1162
Disaster Distress Helpline
Call or text 1-800-985-5990
Crisis Cleanup
Call 844-965-1386
This hotline will remain open through Friday, October 11, 2024.
USDA Assistance Program
Emergency Farm Loans are available for farmers and ranchers to recover from production losses due to Hurricane Helene. Farmers who own or operate land in the declared disaster areas and have suffered significant losses are eligible.
Qualifying counties:
• Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, Washington
• As well as Sullivan and Sevier
Low-income House Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Assistance is available to low-income households with energy costs, including temporary shelter and cooling costs during disasters. Eligibility is based on income.
Apply online:
https://thda.org/help-for-homeowners/energy-assistance-programs/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap
Find and apply for more assistance programs here:
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
Tax Information
On October 3, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in the entire state of North Carolina that were affected by Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 25, 2024.
These taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Following the disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), individuals and households that reside or have a business in the entire state qualify for tax relief.
Affected taxpayers with returns and payments with due dates postponed until Feb. 3, 2025, due to Tropical Storm Debby in North Carolina (NC-2024-07) will also now have until May 1, 2025, to file and/or pay.
The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after Sept. 25, 2024, and before May 1, 2025, are granted additional time to file through May 1, 2025. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until May 1, 2025, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.
Federal Trade Commission Website
How to protect yourself from recovery scams.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/10/recovery-scams-will-follow-hurricane-helene-hereshow-
spot-them
Here are a few ways that scammers might try to take your money or personal information after
Hurricane Helene.
Spot imposter scams. Scammers might pretend to be someone “official” like safety inspectors, or
someone from government. But anyone asking you for your money or personal information right away
is a scammer. Don’t give them money. Ask for identification and verify who you are dealing with.
Spot FEMA impersonators charging application fees. If someone asks you for money to help you qualify
for FEMA funds, it’s a scam. That’s not how FEMA works. Instead, once you have service, download the
FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information.
Printable Documents
The information above is formatted into PDF packets by region to print for offline reference.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you are able to assist, there is tremendous need in our communities in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. To drop off items, please visit these official, designated locations.
Various other locations, such as churches and schools, are also accepting donations at this time. Hours of operation are current as of October 1st.
Donation Centers
NORTHEAST TENNESSEE
Bristol Motor Speedway serves as a centralized hub for major and individual donations of goods for the Northeast Tennessee Disaster and Relief Center. The center serves nine counties impacted by Hurricane Helene in Tennessee. Those resources are distributed to regional distribution centers and community partners. Please call the hotline for assistance at 423-830-2696.
Hotline/Call Center
Monday – Saturday:
9 am – 6 pm
Sunday:
12 pm – 6 pm
Distribution Center/Warehouse Public Hours
Monday – Saturday:
9 am – 4 pm
Sunday:
12 pm – 4 pm
Visit the BMS website for more information.
To Volunteer or Donate MonetarilyDonations
For an list of donation centers and items accepted at each location,
Visit NC 211’s website
Other Resources
The Tennessee Valley Authority
The TVA along with local utilities is dedicated to restoring power to the affected areas. If there’s an outage in your area, please contact your local power company or refer to the TVA’s provider list: https://www.tva.com/energy/public-power-partnerships/local-power-companies
Branch impacts
NORTHEAST TENNESSEE
Broad Street Branch in Elizabethton, TN:
The branch is open and ready to serve you during regular business hours. However, our ITM services at this location are currently unavailable.
If you require ATM access or ITM teller assistance, please visit our Williamsburg branch in Elizabethton, or our Roan Mountain branch.
All other branches in Northeast Tennessee are open and ready to serve you during regular business hours.
NORTH CAROLINA
Mountain Community Bank branch is open and ready to serve you during regular business hours.
ITM and ATM services ARE available.
OTHER SERVICES
Our Call Center is ready to help you. Call us at 866.378.9500.
If you have internet access, our online and mobile banking services are available 24/7.