Dear SEANC family,

All of us at SEANC are heartbroken by the devastating scenes in Western North Carolina and around the state following Hurricane Helene. We want the thousands of state employees and retirees who are affected to know that your SEANC family is ready to help.

We are working with agencies to determine where we can effectively help. If you know of a situation where SEANC can assist, please email us at seanccares@seanc.org.

Please continue to pray for your fellow SEANC members and everyone affected by this storm.

Thank you!

Kirk Montgomery
SEANC President

Resources for those affected:

• Information on finding emergency shelters and locations where residents can access food, water, internet, and gas: https://helenehelpasheville.ushahidi.io/feed
• Water Mission is a locally-based Carolina organization that provides generators, fresh water, and other resources.
• DriveNC is a good recourse for residents to find a safe route out and remain updated on road conditions: https://drivenc.gov
• SEANC Disaster Relief Fund: For more information, click here.
• Need medicine? The N.C. Board of Pharmacy is keeping a list of pharmacies that are open in WNC on its website here: https://www.ncbop.org/emergencyoperatingpharmacieshelene.html
• How to Apply for FEMA aid: https://www.ncdps.gov/news/press-releases/2024/09/29/how-apply-fema-assistance-after-hurricane-helene
  • FEMA Advisory
• Disaster Distress Helpline: The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline to provide year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
  Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance through the NC Division of Employment Security
  • Step 1: Double check that you and your county qualify at des.nc.gov.
  • Step 2: Apply. More at des.nc.gov/dua

Ways to Help:

• WRAL: HOW TO HELP
• Blue Ridge Public Radio list of ways to help
  • Blue Ridge Public Radio has also launched a text-only version of its website that loads faster for those with connection problems: https://text.bpr.org/
• Samaritan's Purse
• American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/
• BeLoved Asheville: https://belovedasheville.com/get-involved/
• Manna Food Bank: https://www.mannafoodbank.org/#
• Salvation Army: https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/articles/2024/09/26/the-salvation-army-of-the-carolinas-ready-to-serve-in-the-aftermath-of-helene
• United Way: https://www.unitedwayabc.org/news/hurricane-helene-relief-efforts
• NC Disaster Fund: https://pay.payitgov.com/ncdonations
• Donations made to Hope Mill Inc assist in getting critical food, water, and medical supplies to the area: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-hope-mill-incs-hurricane-relief

If you want to add something to these lists, please email the information to jowens@seanc.org.