{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://edwards.house.gov/media/press-releases/hurricane-helene-update-7-congressman-edwards", "Hurricane Helene update #7 from Congressman Edwards", "2024-10-04", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Chuck Edwards", "E000246", "edwards.house.gov", "edwards", "https://edwards.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "October 4, 2024\n\nDear Friend,\n\nOne whole week. It has been one week, seven days, since Hurricane Helene struck and our communities were turned upside down.\n\nThis last week has been trying for everyone involved. More than 1,000 Western North Carolinians have been dislocated to an emergency shelter, as of Thursday evening 107 friends and family members have passed away, and hundreds are still missing. Communities like Chimney Rock have been absolutely decimated and many of our Main Streets don\u2019t look the same. To say the post-hurricane environment has been apocalyptic is an understatement.\n\nNonetheless, we must persist.\n\nOver the last week, I have focused my efforts on securing critical resources for Western North Carolina. The Ingles distribution center is officially back online following my office\u2019s work to get them a temporary generator, internet connection, and a clean-up crew to make way for tractor trailers delivering and disbursing product. Ingles estimates they are now five to six days ahead of where they otherwise would\u2019ve been without the important resources I listed above. This distribution center is responsible for filling grocery stores across the entire 11th congressional district.\n\nDirectly after the storm hit, I was hearing from county after county that FEMA and the state were not filling their food and water needs quick enough and there was barely any cell service. After trying to work through FEMA and NC Emergency Management with little luck, I demanded the White House immediately get three pallets of water and two pallets of meals, ready to eat (MREs) delivered to each of our seven, hardest hit counties, and 20 pallets of MREs and 20 pallets of water for Buncombe County to hold them over until state resources were finally delivered.\n\nAll 75 pallets were delivered same day. I also demanded temporary cell tower assets be deployed to the six counties with the worst-off communication systems. All six locations also received at least one temporary cell service asset same day with some counties, like Haywood County, seeing more than one asset deployed after my request.\n\nI\u2019ve delivered seven box trucks to Buncombe County to disburse resources from their central distribution center, secured an FAA operator to help regulate air traffic at Rutherford County Airport, helped the Murphy Fire Department get their assignment number through NC Emergency Management so they could deploy to Henderson County, delivered dozens of truckloads worth of food and water amongst our hardest hit counties, expedited county requests for critical assets, and more. I will continue to support our community in any way that I can.\n\nWe have made it one week by putting one foot in front of the other and working as a team. That is how we will make it through week two, week three and every week thereafter. Disasters like this are once in a lifetime for most people (or once in 1,000 years for Western NC). We are all operating in unknown territory, but together we will chart a resilient and stronger future for our mountains.\n\nToday is update number seven, with more information to follow in the coming days. Please make sure to read everything and share it with your friends and family.\n\nFood and Water\n\nSupplying drinkable water remains a top priority for emergency crews.\n\n91 water systems are on a boil advisory, a significant reduction from the 142 systems on an advisory as of yesterday, October 3.\n\n49 treatment plants have reported having no power and 43 systems are out of water.\n\nAll water restoration trends are moving in a positive direction.\n\nThe state of North Carolina has promised 40 trailer loads of water and 20 trailer loads of food daily through at least October 6.\n\nThe Federal Emergency Management Agency has promised 120 truckloads a day of food and water with no specified end date.\n\nYesterday, Walmart donated 33 truckloads of food and water to nonprofits across Hendersonville, Arden, Asheville and Weaverville.\n\nWalmart will also be hosting activities at the following locations:\n\nHendersonville, NC Store 1242\n\n250 Highlands Square Dr., Hendersonville, NC 28792\n\nHosting hot meal donations at this location.\n\nArden, NC Store 1179\n\n60 Airport Rd., Arden, NC 28704\n\nThis location will host an associate fuel truck, laundry, feeding station, bathrooms and charging station.\n\nThe Home Depot has partnered with Operation Blessing to deliver truckloads of relief supplies including meals, hygiene kits, water and more, to the following location:\n\nAsheville, NC Store 3625\n\n795 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803\n\nResource pick-up locations are listed below by county. As I learn more, I will keep you posted:\n\nBuncombe County\n\nBuncombe County has begun water distribution at multiple sites. Each will be available daily from 1:00 -7:00 p.m.:\n\nPack Square Park - you MUST bring your own container for this site\n\n80 Court Plz., Asheville, NC 28801\n\nWilliam W. Estes Elementary School\n\n275 Overlook Rd., Asheville, NC 28803\n\nSand Hill-Venable Elementary\n\n154 Sand Hill School Rd., Asheville, NC 28806\n\nNorth Windy Ridge Intermediate School\n\n20 Doan Rd., Weaverville, NC 28787\n\nFairview Elementary\n\n1355 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, NC 28730\n\nThe following major feeding site is available in Buncombe County, where citizens can access food, water and other basic necessities:\n\nBiltmore Baptist Church\n\n35 Clayton Rd., Arden, NC 28704\n\nHaywood County\n\nThe following locations are providing community members with essential resources such as but not limited to, food, water, cleaning products, baby formula, and pet food, Monday through Fridays:\n\nPigeon Community Center\n\n450 Pigeon St., Waynesville, NC 28786\n\nAlso offering hot meals every day at 2:00 p.m.\n\nDaily Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.\n\nCruso Community Center\n\n13186 Cruso Rd., Canton, NC 28716\n\nDaily Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.\n\nFirst United Methodist Church\n\n566 S. Haywood St., Waynesville, NC 28786\n\nIncludes shower access.\n\nDaily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.\n\nMaggie Valley Pavilion\n\n3935 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751\n\nDaily Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.\n\nWoodland Baptist Church\n\n545 Crabtree Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786\n\nDaily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.\n\nBethel Elementary School\n\n4700 Old River Rd., Canton, NC 28716\n\nDaily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.\n\nJonathan Valley Elementary School\n\n410 Hall Dr., Waynesville, NC 28786\n\nDaily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.\n\nMonday through Friday\n\nThe following location offers hot meals daily:\n\nMaggie Valley Fire Department\n\n2901 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751\n\nThe following location offers showers daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:\n\nCalvary Baptist Church\n\n2701 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751\n\nHenderson County\n\nHenderson County has stood up Resource Hub locations for water distribution and other supplies as they become available.\n\nDistribution takes place daily at the following locations:\n\nEtowah Elementary: 320 Etowah School Rd., Etowah, NC 28729\n\nRugby Middle School: 3345 Haywood Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28791\n\nEast Henderson High School: 150 Eagle Pride Dr., East Flat Rock, NC 28726\n\nNorth Henderson High School: 35 Fruitland Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792\n\nMills River Town Hall: 124 Town Center Dr., Mills River, NC 28759\n\nFletcher Town Hall: 300 Old Cane Creek Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732\n\nEach family unit will be provided supplies for one day\u2019s meal and water as available.\n\nIndividuals are asked to enter the drive-through and remain in your car unless otherwise instructed by volunteers to ensure an efficient process.\n\nMadison County\n\nThe following locations are offering food and water distribution in Madison County:\n\n5580 US-25, Marshall, NC 28753\n\n225 Carl Eller Rd., Mars Hill, NC 28754\n\n63 N. Serpentine Ave., Hot Springs, NC 28743\n\nMcDowell County\n\nMcDowell County has established multiple points of distribution that are open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m., depending on supply levels.\n\nDistribution takes place daily at the following locations:\n\nHicks Chapel Church\n\n6008 US 221 N., Marion, NC 28752\n\nFormer TJ\u2019s Discounts\n\n8153 US 221 N., Marion, NC 28752\n\nOld Fort Town Hall\n\n38 Catawba Ave., Marion, NC 28762\n\nNew Manna Baptist Church\n\n225 E. Court St., Marion, NC 28752\n\nSolid Rock Free Will Baptist Church\n\n7860 NC 226 S., Nebo, NC 28761\n\nHot meals are also being provided at the following location:\n\nGrace Community Church\n\n5182 US 70 W., Marion, NC 28752\n\nLunch is served every day from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.\n\nDinner is available from 4:00-5:30 p.m.\n\nPolk County\n\nThe following locations are offering food and water distribution for residents in need:\n\nMill Spring/Green Creek Community\n\n25 International Blvd., Mill Spring, NC 28756\n\nColumbus Community\n\n95 Walker St., Columbus, NC 28722\n\nSaluda Community Bus Parking Lot\n\n214 E. Main St., Saluda, NC 28773\n\nTryon Community\n\n301 N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782\n\nSunny View\n\n86 Sunny View School Rd., Mill Spring, NC 28756\n\nThe Roseland Center\n\n56 Peake St., Tryon, NC 28782\n\nRutherford County\n\nThe following locations are open from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. for citizens to get food and emergency supplies:\n\nThomas Jefferson High School\n\n2527 US-221A Hwy., Mooresboro, NC 28114\n\nFlorence Baptist Church\n\n201 S. Broadway St., Forest City, NC 28043\n\nRutherford County Health Department\n\n221 Callahan Koon Rd., Spindale, NC 28160\n\nGilkey Church of God\n\n255 Oak Springs Rd., Rutherfordton, NC 28139\n\nParks, Recreation, & Lake Office\n\n658 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure, NC 28746\n\nLake Lure Baptist Church - also has bathroom and shower stations\n\n6837 US-74 ALT, Lake Lure, NC 28746\n\nIngles at Lake Lure - meals only\n\n276 NC-9, Lake Lure, NC 28746\n\nOffers hot meals at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.\n\nFather\u2019s Vineyard - also has shower and charging stations\n\n724 Oakland Rd., Spindale, NC 28160\n\nSpencer Baptist Church - water distribution only\n\n187 N Oak St., Spindale, NC 28160\n\nUnited Way of Rutherford County - water distribution and charging stations only\n\n668 Withrow Rd., Forest City, NC 28043\n\nDebris Removal\n\nIf your home has damages and you need assistance with clean up, please call Crisis Cleanup for access to volunteer organizations that can assist you at 844-965-1386.\n\nAdditionally, the following counties have resources for where to take debris waste.\n\nHaywood\n\nHousehold waste will be accepted at the Materials Recovery Facility at 247 Recycle Rd., Clyde and at Convenience Centers at Jonathan Creek, Beaverdam, Bethel, Hazelwood, Mauney Cove, Jones Cove and Highway 110.\n\nWhite Oak Landfill has reopened, as of noon on Tuesday, October 1\n\nHenderson\n\nHenderson County Transfer Station will be open September 30 at 7:00 a.m. accepting storm debris with normal fees. A free storm debris site is in the works and will be available soon.\n\nUnited States Postal Service\n\nMail delivery operations in the following three-digit ZIP code areas (any ZIP code beginning with these numbers) may experience interruptions:\n\n287\n\nUSPS is attempting to resume delivery operations in the 287 ZIP code area.\n\n288\n\n289\n\nAdditionally, operations at the facility below remain suspended:\n\nRutherfordton: 130 E. Court St., Rutherfordton, NC 28139\n\nPharmacy Access\n\nCVS currently has 16 pharmacies that remain closed, including two locations - 522 S. Main St., Hendersonville, NC and 2351 US 70 Hwy., Swannanoa, NC - that are total losses and will not reopen.\n\nFor individuals able to safely travel to fill a prescription, CVS at the following locations are actively open as of October 2:\n\n324 Long Shoals Rd., Arden, NC 28704\n\n505 Smokey Park Hwy., Asheville, NC 28806\n\n371 Asheville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712\n\n3450 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732\n\n1605 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville, NC 28792\n\n2001 Spartanburg Hwy., Hendersonville, NC 28792\n\n111 S Main St., Rutherfordton, NC 28139\n\n773 Russ Ave., Waynesville, NC 28786\n\nYou can also use this link to locate non-CVS pharmacy locations open to the public by county.\n\nHow to Acquire a Prescription:\n\nIf a store is closed, you can still call the number and the pharmacy\u2019s phone lines have been rerouted to a nearby CVS Pharmacy that is open to help patients access their prescriptions.\n\nPatients can visit any CVS Pharmacy for assistance with immediate prescription needs.\n\nOpen Urgent Cares\n\nThe following urgent cares are open and accessible for community members with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries:\n\nLocations open between 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.:\n\nMercy Urgent Care Weaverville\n\n61 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville, NC 28787\n\nMercy Urgent Care West Asheville\n\n1201 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806\n\nMercy Urgent Care Waynesville\n\n120 Frazier St., Ste. 6, Waynesville, NC 28786\n\nLocations open between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.:\n\nMercy Urgent Care Brevard\n\n22 Trust Ln., Brevard, NC 28712\n\nLocations open between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.:\n\nMercy Urgent Care Columbus\n\n140 West Mills St., Columbus, NC 28722\n\nResources for Veterans\n\nLegionnaires, Sons of the American Legion members and Legion Posts that have been displaced from their primary residence due to damage sustained during Hurricane Helene may be eligible for financial assistance through the American Legion.\n\nLegionnaires and Sons of the American Legion members may be eligible for up to $3,000.\n\nLegion Posts may be eligible for up to $10,000.\n\nTo learn more or to request assistance, please use this link.\n\nApplications must be submitted within 90 days of the disaster: Dec. 26, 2024.\n\nI will update this section as I become aware of additional resources for veterans.\n\nAs of Thursday, October 3, power has been restored at the Asheville VA Hospital.\n\nPower and Gas\n\n201,000 customers remain without power in Western North Carolina.\n\nDuke Energy is on track to restore an additional 27,000 customers by Friday evening, October 4\n\nBy Friday evening, 90 percent of all outages will have been restored.\n\nThe remaining 10 percent of outages are in the hardest-hit areas of Western North Carolina.\n\nAnother 69,000 are on track to be restored in the hardest-hit areas by Sunday, October 6.\n\nIn the areas where catastrophic damage exists, 105,000 customers are without power.\n\nDuke Energy is working closely with the state on plans to address these areas as quickly as possible.\n\nThe number of customers seeing their power turn back on each day is slowing, but that is only because Duke Energy has been conducting significant work to repair and bring back online the 360 substations that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.\n\nThe substations are the backbone of our energy grid.\n\nOnce restored, service for private homeowners and businesses will rapidly begin to come back online.\n\nSo far, 95 percent of substations have been restored and significant substation work is continuing today.\n\nPower for the Greenwood Rock Quarry has been restored.\n\nRestoration of the quarry\u2019s power will help NCDOT to address gravel needs for road repairs.\n\nFor more information on Duke Energy\u2019s power restoration efforts, you can review the following links:\n\nOutage Map: duke-energy.com/outages\n\no Outage Alerts: duke-energy.com/outages/alerts\n\no Generator safety: duke-energy.com/outages/generators\n\no Power restoration process: duke-energy.com/outages/restoring-your-power\n\nRoads\n\nA \u201cDO NOT DRIVE\u201d message remains in place from the North Carolina Department of Transportation for most of Western North Carolina.\n\nUnless it is an emergency, please do not travel to the hardest hit communities.\n\nCherokee, Graham, Clay and Swain counties ARE FULLY OPEN to people who can access them through safe routes.\n\nPlease Note: Clay County is a new addition to the list of fully open counties in Western NC.\n\nDon\u2019t forget that Western NC\u2019s economy relies on tourism, so another way to assist with hurricane relief is by visiting the North Carolina mountains, where it is safe to do so.\n\nPlease DO NOT try to visit or travel through the areas hardest hit by the storm such as Henderson and Buncombe counties.\n\nNCDOT has now reopened more than 130 roads.\n\nNCDOT has reopened:\n\nNC 16 between Catawba and Alexander counties\n\nNC 226 between McDowell and Mitchell counties\n\nNC 105 in Watauga and Avery counties\n\nI-40 East near Old Fort\n\nNCDOT is making progress on:\n\nNC 9 between Buncombe and Henderson counties, along with multiple other major routes in NC-11\n\nIn addition to repair and debris removal efforts, NCDOT has provided support and helped coordinate relief efforts for many agencies near or in storm-impacted areas.\n\nAs of Thursday, October 3, there has successfully been:\n\n338 evacuation trips\n\n1,537 people transported to safety\n\n523 trips to shelters\n\n2,076 people transported to the shelters\n\nAll 14 of NCDOT\u2019s Highway Divisions are now helping respond to Hurricane Helene.\n\nAbout 1,600 employees from across the state are working both day and night to clear debris and repair roadways.\n\nThe National Park Service has reopened US 441/Newfound Gap Rd. to allow for access between Tennessee and North Carolina communities.\n\nKuwohi Rd. (formerly Clingmans Dome Rd.) has also reopened.\n\nBat Cave and Gerton communities on US 64/74 in Henderson County were isolated with no access out until October 2.\n\nYesterday, NCDOT was able to open access into the Bat Cave/Gerton area.\n\nFood drops are currently being conducted on a clothesline across the river in Gerton.\n\nNCDOT has launched a detour map to show motorists how to get around closures on I-26 and I-40 at the Tennessee border.\n\nYou can access the map here.\n\nCell Service\n\nCell service restoration is continuing to see significant improvements.\n\nThe total number of deployable assets in NC-11 are continuing to increase, reaching more than 70 assets that are on-air or en route amongst service providers in our hardest hit communities.\n\nThe total number of cell sites that are down has steadily decreased since October 1.\n\nCell service providers have implemented disaster roaming for any phone located in Western North Carolina to maximize phone service for all users.\n\nDisaster roaming allows users to connect to any mobile network during a disaster when other networks are down.\n\nThis allows users to access emergency services, such as 911, even when their own network is out.\n\nIf you have service one moment, but experience a reduction in service the next, try restarting your phone to jumpstart disaster roaming again.\n\nAT&T has deployed its Mobile Connectivity Center to the following location:\n\nSam\u2019s Club: 645 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806\n\nThe Mobile Connectivity Center is an air-conditioned mobile unit open to the public, equipped with laptops, charging stations and wi-fi.\n\nThe public can use the center for various needs including contacting your insurance company, filling out paperwork or connecting with loved ones.\n\nAT&T has also donated $100,000 to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to support Western North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene.\n\nA temporary Verizon satellite trailer is located at the Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin St., offering an opportunity for limited cellular reception within several city blocks of where it is parked.\n\nT-Mobile has set up satellite cellular on light trucks (SatCOLTs) in Asheville, providing cellular voice and data along with wi-fi and charging stations at the following locations:\n\nAsheville Middle School\n\n211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC 28801\n\nDr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center\n\n285 Livingston St., Asheville, NC 28801\n\nAdditional T-Mobile satellite cell on trucks are located in Hendersonville and at a Tractor Supply Co. in Asheville, with others planned for Mission Hospital in Asheville, Cherokee County Emergency Operations Center in Murphy, and in Cherokee.\n\nNorth Carolina National Guard & Department of Defense\n\nMore than 1,100 North Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen have been deployed to provide support to Western North Carolina so far.\n\nThe total number of deployed guardsmen will continue to increase over the coming days.\n\nFurther, more than 400 vehicles, including 90 high-water vehicles, and 19 helicopters have been deployed to Western NC.\n\nGeorgia, Virginia, Kentucky and South Carolina have all sent helicopters to assist with aerial initiatives in NC-11.\n\nAs of the afternoon of October 3, the National Guard has:\n\nRescued more than 1,000 Western North Carolinians, including almost 200 by hoist, and 150 animals.\n\nDelivered nearly 1 million lbs. of resources to impacted communities.\n\nThe National Guard is continuing C-17 transport of supplies to Asheville.\n\nAlthough airspace is limited due to ongoing missions by the National Guard and Department of Defense, a process has been established for private pilots seeking to fly in humanitarian relief to coordinate with local authorities.\n\nIf you are looking to fly in resources and don\u2019t know where to turn, call my office and we will get you in contact with the right coordinators.\n\nOn October 2, the Secretary of Defense authorized the movement of up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers, including soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division from Ft. Liberty (formerly Ft. Bragg).\n\nThese soldiers have arrived in Western North Carolina and are supporting the delivery of food, water and other critical aid to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.\n\nThe Department of Defense has also committed 22 helicopters to assist with search and rescue operations.\n\nSeven CH-47 Chinook helicopters from Ft. Liberty have already been flying resupply missions for the past two days.\n\nHere are a few key phone numbers from the NCNG:\n\nHOTLINE: 888-892-1162\n\nEmergency management watch: 919-733-3300\n\nDonated goods: 919-825-2474\n\nThese lines have very high call volumes. If you do not get through the first try, keep calling.\n\nAsheville Regional Airport\n\nAsheville Regional Airport closed mid-day on Friday, September 27, due to risk of flooding.\n\nCommercial flights at Asheville Regional Airport have resumed.\n\nIf you parked your car in an Asheville Regional Airport lot and could not retrieve the vehicle due to the storm, great news - none of the airport\u2019s lots flooded and all cars are fine.\n\nStay safe and pick up your car when you are able.\n\nPLEASE NOTE:\n\nNo general aviation pilots are allowed to land at Asheville Regional Airport without prior clearance from FEMA to ensure the safety of aircraft and personnel.\n\nSNAP and Child Nutrition Benefits Flexibility\n\nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service has approved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Child Nutrition (CN) program flexibilities due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.\n\nSNAP\n\nNorth Carolina was granted a waiver for the 10-day reporting requirement for the replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits lost because of the hurricane.\n\nThis waiver provides additional time beyond the standard 10-day time frame for households to report food losses and receive replacement benefits for food that was destroyed and previously purchased with SNAP benefits.\n\nChild Nutrition\n\nThe North Carolina Department of Public Instruction was approved for a waiver pertaining to the child nutrition programs.\n\nUnder the waiver approval, NCDPI\u2019s local program operators may:\n\nServe meals in a non-congregate setting\n\nAdjust the time of meal service\n\nAllow parent pick-up\n\nAllow service of meals at school sites\n\nFor NC-11 Medical Providers\n\nIf you own a medical practice in NC-11 and are experiencing financial hardship due to Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Medical Society will be reactivating its Financial Recovery Program (FRP) to help you recover and open your doors again.\n\nThe FRP will be back online to provide much needed assistance soon.\n\nMore information to follow.\n\nThe Department of Health and Human Services through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made available:\n\nAccelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers affected by Hurricane Helene\n\nAdvance payments to Medicare Part B suppliers affected by Hurricane Helene\n\nFor Local Government Resource Requests\n\nFor county leaders: This is a reminder to make sure your Emergency Operation Center has submitted the request for gasoline, food, water, cell service deployables, etc. with North Carolina Emergency Management to have your request processed and resources delivered.\n\nMy office stands ready to assist with checking the status of your request if the county or municipality has not heard back from NC Emergency Management within 24 hours.\n\nFor Individual Assistance through FEMA\n\nNorth Carolina received a Major Disaster Declaration for the following counties: Buncombe, Clay, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.\n\nPeople with damage to their homes or personal property who live in one of the above-listed counties should apply for Individual Assistance through FEMA, which may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies.\n\nFunds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.\n\nIndividual Assistance provides financial aid and services to eligible individuals and households that have been affected by a disaster to assist with the recovery process. Individuals can officially begin applying for Individual Assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. EST.\n\nTo date, more than 10,000 survivors have registered with FEMA for Individual Assistance.\n\nTo Connect with a Loved One\n\nResidents trying to connect with family members may call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state) to report missing loved ones or request a welfare check.\n\nPeople in the impacted areas can indicate that they are safe by reporting themselves safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).\n\nPlease only use 911 for life-threatening emergencies so the lines remain open for critical situations.\n\nIf you are still trying to locate a friend or family member, please complete this form to notify local officials of their missing status.\n\nThe form was created by Buncombe County but information is being shared amongst all counties.\n\nRegardless of which county your loved one was last known to be in, you can still submit the form.\n\nBuncombe County will share the information with the appropriate officials to initiate search and rescue efforts.\n\nResources for Utility & Other Status Updates\n\nFor information on the status of utilities, debris sites, etc., we want to share the following resources. As communications are restored and more information becomes available, these sites will continue to be updated.\n\nDrinking Water Systems: Public Water Supply Situation Report Tracking\n\nDebris Disposal Sites: Active Temporary Debris Disposal Sites\n\nNCDEQ Situation Report Tracking System\n\nNCDPS Hurricane Helene - Storm Information\n\nNCDPS County Emergency Management Agencies\n\nHow to Apply for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene\n\nFree Legal Assistance\n\nLegal Aid of North Carolina stands ready to provide free advice and legal counsel regarding natural disaster needs, including legal representation if necessary, including for civil legal issues involving:\n\nFiling FEMA claims and appeals (a process which can be overwhelmingly bureaucratic and burdensome)\n\nReplacement of lost or destroyed legal and government documents, including driver\u2019s licenses and identification cards\n\nMedical and insurance claims\n\nHome repair contracts\n\nUtility disputes related to restoration of services\n\nConsumer protection issues like construction fraud, price-gouging on repairs and identity theft\n\nHousing issues such as unlawful eviction and foreclosures\n\nBankruptcy\n\nProbate and clearing title for survivors living in generational homes without a clear title\n\nFamily law cases and children in need of services (unfortunately, domestic violence tends to rise following a natural disaster)\n\nIf you need civil legal assistance, please contact Legal Aid of North Carolina via the following toll-free hotline:\n\n(866) 219-LANC or (866) 219-5262\n\nThe hotline is available from:\n\n8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Thursdays.\n\nConstituents can also apply online at legalaidnc.org/get-help/ between 1:00-4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.\n\nIRS Guidance for Taxpayers Impacted by Hurricane Helene\n\nExtension of certain tax filing deadlines:\n\nIRS has extended various filing deadlines for taxpayers in impacted areas, including 2024 individual/business returns, certain quarterly estimated income tax payments, and certain payroll/excise taxes.\n\nClick here for the full list of extensions and respective dates\n\nClick here for more information from the IRS on disaster assistance\n\nTax relief for qualified payments, disaster-related losses:\n\nIRS released provided guidance to taxpayers on how to address disaster-related losses in their 2024 tax return, as well as providing guidance on how qualified disaster relief payments - like government assistance payments - are generally excluded from gross income.\n\nClick here for a general walkthrough of these policies (under header \u201cAdditional tax relief\u201d)\n\nClick here for more information on tax treatment of disaster-related losses\n\nClick here for more information on tax treatment of qualified disaster relief payments\n\nShelters\n\nFor those unable to evacuate to a safe location or in need of a place to go, the following shelters are currently open and available as of October 3:\n\nBuncombe\n\nA-B Technical Community College\n\n340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801\n\nGold\u2019s Gym\n\n801 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803\n\nWNC Agricultural Center\n\n1301 Fanning Bridge Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732\n\nHaywood\n\nHaywood County Government Armory\n\n285 Armory Dr., Clyde, NC 28781\n\nHenderson\n\nEdneyville Elementary School\n\n2875 Pace Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792\n\nHenderson County Recreation Center\n\n708 S. Grove St., Hendersonville, NC 28792\n\nMcDowell\n\nGlenwood Baptist Church\n\n1550 Glenwood Baptist Church Rd., Marion, NC 29640\n\nYMCA of Western North Carolina\n\n348 Grace Corpening Dr., Marion, NC 28752\n\nPolk\n\nPolk County High School\n\n1681 NC 108 Hwy. E., Columbus, NC 28722\n\nRutherford\n\nRutherfordton/Spindale Central High School\n\n641 US 221 Hwy. N., Rutherfordton, NC 28139\n\nTransylvania\n\nTransylvania Parks & Rec\n\n1078 Ecusta Rd., Brevard, NC 28712\n\nYancey\n\nCane River Middle School\n\n1128 Cane River School Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714\n\nMountain Heritage High School\n\n333 Mountain Heritage High School Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714\n\nWith my warmest regards,\n\nChuck Edwards\n\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://edwards.house.gov/media/press-releases/hurricane-helene-update-7-congressman-edwards"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4941419940441847, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}