Hurricane Helene

Hear from survivors of hurricanes Helene and Milton about how they were impacted from the storms and turned to FEMA to get assistance.

Learn more about the response to Hurricane Helene across all federal agencies on USA.gov.

Federal disaster assistance is available to the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to help jumpstart recovery efforts.

You can apply for assistance in three ways:

• online by visiting disasterassistance.gov
• call 800-621-3362. 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

Misinformation and rumors can spread quickly after a disaster. Keep your community safe by being aware of common rumors about Hurricane Helene.

Be aware of scam artists and identity thieves who are attempting to take advantage of survivors. Watch for and report any suspicious activity, or anything that just doesn’t seem right to you. Visit Disaster Fraud or CISA Warns of Hurricane-Related Scams to learn more.

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Debris removal activities, such as clearance, removal, recycling and disposal are eligible under Public Assistance Category A if the removal is in the public interest, among other factors.

Learn more about assistance for debris removal.

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Disaster survivors with damage to their primary residence may be eligible for FEMA Sheltering and Housing Assistance such as lodging reimbursement, rental assistance, or home repair or replacement.

Learn more about housing assistance options.

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Do you run a business or are you a business owner affected by Hurricane Helene? There are many assistance programs available across the federal government designed to help you and your business.

Learn about assistance for you, your employees, and your business.

• Volunteer to help. Sign up to volunteer with a reputable group or organization. Do not go by yourself to a disaster area. Look up volunteer opportunities on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website. 
• Cash is the best donation. It’s important to donate responsibly. When people support voluntary organizations with financial contributions, it helps ensure a steady flow of important services to the people in need after a disaster.
• Identify what is needed. Before donating supplies connect with organizations working in the affected area to find out how much is needed and when it is needed.

Use these resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

Sometimes help can’t wait. If you or someone you know is in danger or having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.  Access the 988 Crisis Lifeline by dialing/texting 988 or chatting at 988lifeline.org. You will speak with a crisis counselor any time of day or night.

The helpline is open to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. This includes survivors of disasters; loved ones of victims; first responders; rescue, recovery, and relief workers; clergy; and parents and caregivers. You may call for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

You can call the toll-free, multilingual Disaster Distress Helpline for confidential counseling, referrals and other support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Spanish speakers should press “2”. Deaf and hard of hearing ASL callers can connect directly to an American Sign Language agent, through ASL Now or by calling 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone.

Disaster-Related Tools

Images and Videos

View Hurricane Helene images and videos to see how FEMA and federal partners are supporting on the ground.

View on DVIDS

View on FEMA Media Library

Press Releases, Fact Sheets and Blogs

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FEMA Extends Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. – At the request of the state of South Carolina, FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program has been extended to Jan. 11, 2025, for Helene survivors who continue to need temporary shelter.

Press Release | December 19, 2024

Disaster Recovery Center Open in Lee County

FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center in Lee County to provide one-on-one help to Floridians affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Survivors of Hurricane Debby can also be served by the center.

Press Release | December 18, 2024

FEMA Approves More Than $8 Million for Tennessee Mitigation Efforts

The state of Tennessee and FEMA have approved $8 million to protect people and businesses in Cookeville, Memphis and Milan from flooding and earthquakes.

Press Release | December 18, 2024

Substantial Damage Determinations

Local community officials are required to inspect disaster-damaged structures to complete substantial damage assessments in the Special Flood Hazard Area to meet the requirements of Georgia Building Code and community floodplain regulations.

Fact Sheet | December 18, 2024

FAQ: Direct Temporary Housing Assistance in Tennessee

FEMA and the State of Tennessee are working to ensure that survivors of Tropical Storm Helene have safe, functional housing. Temporary housing solutions are becoming available to eligible households in Eastern Tennessee. The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Fact Sheet | December 18, 2024

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