ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency says only 62 portable and temporary housing trailers are being used to house Helene victims after the storm.
FEMA trailers
In a briefing on Tuesday, FEMA said many more people have received agency assistance through placement in hotels, apartments and home rentals. Over 4,900 families are still in what the agency calls "transitional shelter assistance," which may include placement into housing such as hotels, apartments and home rentals. Of the 62 FEMA trailers currently housing Helene survivors, there are a total of 59 families across 14 counties, the agency said.
The agency said they have about 500 more requests that are being evaluated for potential placement into a trailer or transitional shelter lodging. FEMA said additional trailers have been staged in Hickory and are available for deployment as needed.
Over 9,000 families in total have received transitional shelter assistance from FEMA since Helene, according to the agency. About half of those families have left the program after the agency said they found "suitable, longer-term housing and moved on with their recovery."
FEMA housing program extended
At the request of the state of North Carolina, FEMA's housing program will continue to provide shelter through Jan. 11, 2025. Unless the program is extended again, survivors currently residing in FEMA housing will need to leave by Jan 11.
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Jan. 7, 2025.
Homeowners and renters in 39 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can visit any open Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to apply for assistance, including locations in other states. No appointment is needed. To find center locations, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a ZIP code to 43362. For more information, survivors should contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
Rebuilding private roads
About $8.5 million has been approved by FEMA to rebuild private roads, bridges and driveways, the agency said on Tuesday.
Property owners can request up to $40,000 to rebuild a road if the road is the only way to access a home.
The $8.5 million has been approved for 3,187 repairs. Another 4,391 cases remain under review by the agency.
Disaster assistance
More than $292 million has been approved to fund 47 grants requested by local, state and tribal government agencies, according to FEMA. This money will help cover the cost of emergency response, debris removal and the restoration of diaster-damaged public facilities and infrastructure. The program can also be used to reimburse certain private nonprofit or religious organizations, according to FEMA.
North Carolina Emergency Management has received $146.3 million for emergency protective measures and another $20.49 million for diaster management costs, according to FEMA.
More than $78 million in debris removal funding has been approved for the following counties:
- $7.5 million to Avery County.
- $48.3 million to Buncombe County.
- $2.6 million to Burke County.
- $3.7 million to McDowell County.
- $9.9 million to Mitchell County.
- $1.1 million to Rutherford County.
- $4.9 million to Watauga County.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has had $47.3 million in federal funds approved for the repair of roads and bridges in the following counties:
- $3.64 million to Ashe County.
- $1.63 million to Avery County.
- $4.07 million to Buncombe County.
- $1.25 to Cleveland County.
- $2.08 million to Haywood County.
- $2.23 million to Henderson County.
- $3.17 million to Madison County.
- $3.3 million to McDowell County.
- $4 million to Mitchell County.
- $1.71 million to Polk County.
- $1.2 million to Rutherford County.
- $4.8 million to Watauga County.
- $14.3 million to Yancey County.
In-person assistance
In addition to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC), which can be found at fema.gov/drc or by texting “DRC” and a ZIP code to 43362, FEMA is hosting three upcoming in-person events. At these events, FEMA exports will provide free advice about rebuilding efforts.
Home Depot (Store #3645)
127 Acton Circle
Asheville NC 28806
8 a.m-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9-Saturday, Dec. 14
Home Depot (Store #3625)
795 Fairview Road
Asheville NC 28803
8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16-Saturday, Dec. 21
Home Depot (Store #3637)
401 Linda Vista Drive
Hendersonville NC 28792
8 a.m.-6 pm. Monday, Dec. 23; Tuesday, Dec. 24; and Thursday, Dec. 26-Saturday, Dec. 28