In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is expanding support services to more counties in North Carolina, with some of that coverage area extending into the Triad.
Twelve counties have been added to FEMA’s Disaster Declaration allowing survivors of Helene to apply for assistance. They are Cabarrus, Cherokee, Forsyth, Graham, Iredell, Lee, Nash, Rowan, Stanly, Surry, Union and Yadkin.
FEMA spokesperson Briana Fenton collaborates with local media in and around affected communities to alert survivors about available resources.
"If you are a homeowner or renter in one of these designated counties, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance through grants for serious needs, basic home repairs, temporary housing if you are displaced, personal property loss and other disaster-related needs," says Fenton.
Fenton says the monetary grants by the federal government are non-taxable, and cover a wide variety of needs for survivors no matter where they are.
"Some of them may be displaced from their homes and so this is why we’re trying to get the information out," she says. "You may be staying in another county that’s not the original county. And so it’s just really important to apply for FEMA assistance because we may be able to help."
FEMA provides funding for the uninsured and underinsured. For those already covered, she recommends filing first with the insurer to avoid duplicating coverage. And she says the sooner you apply, the sooner the assistance becomes available.