Emergency Information

Henderson County has declared a State of Emergency due to Hurricane Helene. The State of Emergency is also proclaimed at the request of the Mayors in the Town of Fletcher, Town of Laurel Park, Village of Flat Rock and Town of Mills River. The City of Hendersonville has also declared a State of Emergency as revoking all special event permits until the end of the state of emergency.

There is still restricted travel along Highway 64, Highway 74 and Highway 9 in the Bat Cave and Gerton areas of Henderson County.

Emergency Contact Information

Currently, the Henderson County EOC is open 8AM - 4:30 PM Monday-Friday.

For emergencies call 911
For routine non-medical requests contact our EOC Call Center at 828-771-6670 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday or email helene-info@hcem.org.
For Hendersonville Water & Sewer Customers - Call 828-697-3052 for city-related services and visit www.hvlnc.gov/helene for ongoing updates.

Citizens should also tune to local and regional radio and television stations for up to the minute emergency information from the Henderson County Emergency Operations Center.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)

The Henderson County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is in the Blue Ridge Commons complex at 2111 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville NC 28791.

DRC HOURS

Sunday - Closed
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The DRC will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The DRC will reopen at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 21.

The DRC is a resource center for residents to navigate various federal, state, and local resources. FEMA, the Small Business Association, and NC Emergency Management personnel are available every day the DRC is open for residents to file claims, apply for loans, work through appeals, and upload additional documentation for their cases. In addition, Henderson County staff are on-site to help residents with local nonprofit resources and other government programs, including debris removal and Henderson County DSS programs.

Free Legal Clinic February 1

Residents affected by Tropical Storm Helene can receive free legal assistance on FEMA claims, appeals and landlord/tenant issues. Volunteer attorneys from the NC Bar Association, Disaster Legal Services and Pisgah Legal Services will be available on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Henderson County Disaster Recovery Center. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can schedule a 1-hour appointment.

How to Apply for Disaster Relief

In addition to the Disaster Recovery Center, you can apply for disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance has been extended to February 6, 2025.

Hazard Mitigation Grants

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program can help property owners with mitigation methods such as structure elevation, structural reinforcement and the optional buyout of damaged properties. Visit www.NCDPS.gov/HM to watch an 8-minute video on the program.

FEMA Extends Transitional Housing Assistance Program (TSA)

FEMA is granting additional time for Helene survivors to stay in short-term, emergency sheltering in hotels and motels.

A press release from FEMA on January 20, 2025 regarding the TSA program.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is extended to February 6, 2025. For more information call the unemployment assistance hotline at 919-629-3857 (for Spanish call 919-276-5698). The hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, and from noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Disaster Rental Assistance

The goals of these funds are to address critical housing needs across various vulnerable populations. The funds will ensure that families have access to adequate housing. The funds will aim to address and prevent homelessness by providing housing stability for individuals and families at risk.

Disaster Energy Assistance

Disaster Energy Benefits can help those who suffered losses related to Hurricane Helene.
Program eligibilty requirements

Long-Term Recovery Group

As Henderson County continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, the County in partnership with local non-profits and organizations have launched a Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG).
The LTRG will assist residents in many ways, but one pressing issue is the need for transitional housing. The FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) has been extended to January 25, 2025. We encourage residents in the TSA program to meet with FEMA regarding their eligibility.If you have been told by FEMA you are no longer eligible for the TSA program, we have a LTRG phone line available to assist you, 828-698-3000.

FEMA Daily Fact Sheet

Volunteer Your Time

Henderson County Warehouse at 118 McAbee Court, Flat Rock, NC needs your help! As we continue to support our community in the wake of Hurricane Helene>
Volunteer hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m,, Monday - Friday.
We are seeking volunteers for:

Moving Pallets with a Pallet Jack
Filling Orders from Local Non-Profits
Warehouse Clean Up & Sorting Donated Items

Your assistance is crucial in ensuring that supplies reach those in need. No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to help and a heart for our community.
If you’re interested in volunteering, the United Way of Henderson County is managing our volunteers. If you already signed up on this page, they will be in touch with you soon.

Private Road Damage Information Form

Henderson County is collecting information from residents on private road damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Data will be shared with NC Emergency Management and FEMA as they continue to evaluate the need to assist with repairs to private bridges and roads. Note: This form is only for collecting information. It does not constitute a guarantee of repair or financial assistance.

This form is for privately maintained roads only: Submit Form

FEMA Homeowner Assistance to Repair Private Roads & Bridges

FEMA funding is available to support repairs on private roads and bridges, even if the owner’s home is not damaged. These funds are available through the agency’s Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs.

Storm Debris Cleanup

Henderson County will provide free curbside storm debris removal to all county residents. The county is working with a contractor to pick up all storm debris on DOT, municipal and private roads. The county is partnering with the municipalities within the county for this pickup service as well.

Henderson County continues to look for potential storm debris sites as our curbside debris pickup continues. If interested, please review this RFP for Lease of Real Property for Debris Sites.

Report Storm Debris for Pickup

Have storm debris from Hurricane Helene ready for free curbside pickup? You can now report it through this online form. This online form allows residents to describe the type of storm debris and submit photos, which will help plan cleanup efforts.

**Data collected will be shared with debris pickup contractors as they continue to evaluate debris pickup needs. This survey does not constitute a guaranteed timeline of debris pickup.

Private Property Debris Removal Program

Property owners who cannot take their debris to the right of way for pickup and who do not have debris removal insurance or have inadequate debris removal insurance, may apply to have qualified disaster debris removed from their property for free through the Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program. The program also covers the demolition of eligible unsafe structures.

Community Resources

You can dial 2-1-1 or visit the United Way of Henderson County's website for local community resources at www.liveunitedhc.org/community-resources. This page lists assistance available for housing repairs, tree cutting/removal, food pantries, utility assistance and more.

Emergency Alerts

The public is encouraged to sign up for alerts from Henderson County Emergency Management (and partners) at: ConnectHC Alerts - Smart911 and download the Henderson County Sheriff's Office App.