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.

HOLIDAY HOURS

Closed Christmas Eve
Closed Christmas Day
Closed Thursday 12/26
Friday 12/27, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 12/28, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Closed New Years Day

The DRC is a one-stop shop for residents to meet with the following organizations for help and assistance: FEMA, SBA, NC Emergency Management, Henderson County Permitting Office, Henderson County DSS (Food Assistance and Medicaid applications). On varying schedules, representatives from NC Works, NC Employment Security Commission (disaster unemployment applications), United Way, Council on Aging, Pisgah Legal Services, Hope Coalition, Smart Start, Safelight, True Ridge, El Centro, may be available at the DRC.

Free Legal Clinic January 4

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, January 4, 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.

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.

At the request of the state of North Carolina, FEMA is extending the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program through Jan. 11. FEMA will continue providing hotel and motel rooms to Helene-affected families.

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 January 7, 2025.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is extended to Jan. 7, 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.

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, 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.
The warehouse will be closed the week of Christmas, 12/23 to 12/27. Volunteer shifts will begin again Monday, December 30th with times available between 8am and 4pm.

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.

Food Resources

Donated food is being distributed through participating community partners. For a schedule of available food pantries visit the link above. Additional local food resources can be located on the United Way Community Resources Page.

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

The registration for D-SNAP ended on Thursday. October 24th at 4:00pm.

Behavioral Health & Recovery Resources

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many in our community are facing tough challenges. You can call or text 9-8-8, or chat at www.988Lifeline.org to reach a trained counselor who can provide support in a mental health, substance use or suicide crisis. Visit the Behavioral Health & Recovery Resources page for additional updates and information for support.

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.