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Hurricane Helene

Learn how the U.S. government is responding to Hurricane Helene. Find resources to help you recover from the disaster.

Beware of Hurricane Helene rumors and scams

Financial assistance

  • You may qualify for FEMA assistance if you live in a presidentially declared disaster area impacted by Hurricane Helene. You can apply:
  • Learn about other types of disaster financial assistance. You could get unemployment benefits, help buying groceries, and more.
  • Find out if you are eligible for an SBA Disaster Loan. These low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration can help homeowners, small businesses, and non-profits recover from a declared disaster.
  • If you have a flood insurance policy, learn how to file a flood insurance claim.

Disaster recovery

Finding loved ones

  • The Red Cross is providing assistance with finding friends and family impacted by the storm.
  • Missing children should be reported to 9-1-1. You can then contact 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) to receive assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
  • Tennessee: You can report missing persons in the areas affected by recent flooding to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation hotline at 1-800-824-3463.

Food assistance

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced temporary changes to food programs in response to Hurricane Helene. Changes vary by state (see the FNS disaster assistance page for links to state-specific information), but may include:

  • Extended timelines for SNAP recipients to report the loss of food due to power outages.
  • Allowing SNAP benefits to be used to purchase hot foods.
  • Flexibility for child nutrition programs to change how and when meals are served and what food items make up a meal. Parents may also be allowed to pick up food.

Health

Immigration enforcement

During Hurricane Helene, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will not conduct immigration enforcement activities at protected areas including:

  • Along evacuation routes
  • Sites used for sheltering
  • Distribution sites for emergency supplies, food, or water
  • Registration sites for disaster-related assistance or reuniting families and loved ones.

Communications

Weather, maps, and data tools

Agriculture and food safety

Banking and consumer information

Government agency closures

Images and videos

LAST UPDATED: October 8, 2024

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