Post-Helene, 12 More N.C. Counties Can Get FEMA Assistance

(TNS) — People in 12 additional North Carolina counties now qualify for federal assistance following Hurricane Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Wednesday.

Cabarrus, Cherokee, Forsyth, Graham, Iredell, Lee, Nash, Rowan, Stanly, Surry, Union and Yadkin counties are now included in the list of North Carolina counties in which people can apply for FEMA disaster assistance. That could include home repair, property loss, temporary lodging and other needs caused by the storm damage. The new additions weren’t among the 25 counties in the original federal disaster declaration from President Joe Biden.

The aid is intended to help North Carolina residents impacted by Hurricane Helene, which weakened a tropical storm before hitting the state. The storm has caused almost 100 confirmed deaths statewide and was responsible for devastating rainfall and floodwaters in much of Western North Carolina.

Eligible people can apply for FEMA assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov or calling 800-621-3362, according to a FEMA news release. Applicants will need to provide a phone number, their address at the time of the disaster and current address, a Social Security number, a list of damages and losses, banking information and insurance information, the release states.

The new additions mean nearly 40 counties in the state are now eligible for FEMA aid. The complete list includes Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the 12 new counties, according to the news release.

Because of the disaster declaration, people who lost their photo ID due to Helene can fill out a photo ID exception form on election day or with their absentee ballot, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

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