FEMA administrator says people ‘afraid’ to apply for aid, debunks rumors

Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday joined FEMA’s administrator to provide an update on millions of dollars in federal aid pouring in to North Carolina.

Cooper delivered remarks at the Asheville Regional Airport. He was joined by the North Carolina National Guard, the state Department of Public Safety, the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense and others.

At the same time, Buncombe County government officials shared an extensive update on hurricane recovery in and near Asheville, where trash collection is resuming, some roads have reopened and progress is being made in work to restore water to the community.

“There is progress in western North Carolina toward recovery,” Cooper said, thanking state and local emergency responders, local communities and volunteers. “We are grateful for the thousands of local state and federal officials who are working in a coordinated way to bring relief to the people here who have suffered from an unprecedented devastating storm.”

Cooper encouraged people who have lost their jobs or homes, and those without shelter or food, to apply for FEMA aid. He also provided an update on the state and federal response to Helene.

“We’re grateful for the work that has gone on [but] we know that there is much more to do,” Cooper said. “We’re still opening roads. We’re still working to reach communities. We still have search and rescue occurring as we speak. But we know the people of western North Carolina will recover from this storm and will work to be more resilient than ever.”

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said she has been in North Carolina for one week, touring the areas hit hardest by Helene.

“I’ve been side by side with Governor Cooper, talking to mayors, talking to local officials, talking to the local sheriffs, talking to the fire chiefs and hearing from them, listening to what their needs are to support their community and to make sure that we are bringing in the resources that are needed,” Criswell said.

According to Criswell, FEMA has engaged nearly 3,400 federal responders from across 20 different departments and agencies to respond in North Carolina. Additionally, 1,500 responders from Department of Defense are assisting with hurricane recovery.

“This is a complicated event, but let me be clear — FEMA is good at complexity,” Criswell said. “Our team, we are coordinators, we are collaborators, we are problem solvers, but we are also part of a larger team … and together we will be here with North Carolinians as long as it takes.”

Cooper explained more than 50 water systems throughout western North Carolina were impaired or destroyed by Hurricane Helene. In Asheville on Monday, engineers said there is much to be done rebuilding destroyed infrastructure, but great progress has been made in only a few days.

“We’ve been able to be a place to help our community heal or safe space or a hot meal,” Cara Brock said.

Cara Brock and her family had to hike from their home to their business in Lake Lure.

And now, it’s a haven for community amid the calamity.

According to the city of Asheville, a large bypass water line is expected to be finished this week, but there is no timeline for when people will get water again.

Engineers from the U.S. Army Corps are working with civil engineers in the western portion of the state to get water back to customers, the governor said Monday. Many people will have water again once power is restored, while others will have to wait for construction to be complete.

People impacted by Helene are encouraged to apply for FEMA grants. More than 104,000 people have registered for assistance, and more than $31 million has already been distributed in North Carolina, officials said Monday.

Additionally, hundreds of people without homes have been put in hotel rooms as part of FEMA’s temporary shelter program.

Cooper urged people to not visit the mountains unless they are coming to help.

“We still don’t want tourists coming to western North Carolina right now,” Cooper said. “We need to preserve roads for the commodities that are coming in, for utility workers, for cell phone workers, for people who are providing medical assistance.”

Workers are working to clear and reopen 500 roads in North Carolina. On Monday, Cooper said the state has already received $100 million in federal funds, and the state will provide additional funding.

People were again urged to apply for FEMA aid, Criswell said, debunking rumors that people who receive help from FEMA will have to pay it back.

“We’re hearing that people are afraid to apply for the assistance,” Criswell said. “I’ve heard rumors that if you take our $750 and don’t pay it back, we’re going to take your home. That’s absolutely false. The $750 gives you money to help with your medicine or the food you lost in your refrigerator, and then we’re going to give additional money for the repairs to your homes and the items that were lost.”

FEMA can help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Homeowners and renters in most western North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply.

A Texas BBQ restaurant, B4 Barbecue, traveled to Lake Lure to assist with relief efforts. They cooked 2,000 lbs of brisket and numerous chickens to help feed military personnel, first responders, and utility workers.

Apply for FEMA assistance

There are several ways to apply:

• Go to DisasterAssistance.gov
• Use the FEMA App
• Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

Here’s a list of what you’ll need to apply:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number
• A general list of damage and losses
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

More resources are available on FEMA’s website.

WRAL News has a guide to how to help Helene victims.

In Buncombe County, officials said 250,000 bottles of water, 5,000 gallons of bulk water, 11,000 ready-to-eat meals and 162 cans of baby formula have been distributed since Helene.

The North Carolina National Guard said Monday that crews have delivered over 2,709 tons of commodities to affected areas, completing 526 rescues overall and moving 411 pallets of food.