North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley traveled to Henderson and Buncombe counties Thursday to survey damage and meet with people impacted by Hurricane Helene. Secretary Kinsley was joined by Senators Jim Burgin and Julie Mayfield and began the day meeting with people who have relocated to one of the state-operated shelters in Fletcher, N.C. The group then traveled to the Henderson County Department of Public Health and spoke to Health Director Dave Jenkins and Social Services Director Lorie Horne. The visit to Henderson County concluded with a stop by the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Center in the Blue Ridge Commons Shopping Center. Beginning tomorrow, people impacted by Hurricane Helene who are not currently an FNS participant will be able to apply for assistance to buy food for their families.
The Secretary then traveled to Asheville to meet with people impacted by the catastrophic damage Hurricane Helene left behind. He toured BeLoved Asheville, which is a community-based organization that provides assistance to those who need it. During the visit, Secretary Kinsley highlighted the following points in storm recovery:
The health and well-being of people impacted by Hurricane Helene continue to be a top priority for NCDHHS as it works to ensure communities have access to food, infant formula, medical care and life-saving medication.
- 400,000 gallons of water supplied to Buncombe County and 140,000 gallons to Henderson County.
- 98,000 hot meals provided to Buncombe County and 50,000 hot meals provided to Henderson County.
- More than 1 million meals ready to eat supplied to Buncombe County and 304,000 meals ready to eat supplied to Henderson County.
- Eight pallets (between 120-144 cases of formula per pallet) of formula sent to 34 feeding sites across impacted counties.
- 6,411 cases of infant formula received in Buncombe County
- 2,805 cases of infant formula received in Henderson County
- More than 11 million diapers distributed to impacted counties through partnership with Diaper Bank of NC.
- Worked in partnership with the NC Medical Board to track all open community medical practices.
- More than 100 are open in Buncombe County
- 37 are open in Henderson County
- Each of the 25 counties with major damage and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Area have at least one pharmacy open and filling prescriptions. Visit www.ncdhhs.gov to search for open pharmacies and medical practices.
Whether directly or indirectly, millions of people in North Carolina have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Natural disasters are traumatic for individuals, families and communities, and there is no right or wrong way to feel.
- NCDHHS has ramped up staffing at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Folks in immediate crisis or contemplating self harm should not hesitate to call.
- The Disability Disaster Hotline, 800-626-4959, provides information, referrals and guidance to people with disabilities and their families during disasters.
- The Disaster Distress Helpline specializes in post-disaster trauma and provides counseling services 24/7. If you would like to speak with someone, please call or text 1-800-985-5990.
- People can walk into a clinic for mental health or substance use care the same way urgent care clinics help people with immediate physical health needs. Blue Ridge Health in Brevard, N.C., is open and accepting patients.
- Mobile Crisis teams can send trained clinicians to a home, community or shelter to respond to an urgent need. To get connected with a mobile crisis team, you can call Vaya Health at 1-800-849-6127.
More than 300,000 people in or near flood-impacted areas in western North Carolina are estimated to rely on private wells, and the number on septic systems is estimated to be slightly higher.
- Wells that were damaged or submerged in flood waters require disinfection first and then must be tested to ensure the water is safe to use.
- Individuals can contact their local health department for assistance with disinfection or to get a well testing kit.
- NCDHHS has distributed more than 1,900 free private well water collection kits to local health departments.
- NCDHHS is working with FEMA and the EPA to establish certified mobile testing laboratories in high-need locations to support local testing efforts.
Individuals in 25 western counties and EBCI households who reside in the 28719 zip code impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for help buying food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
- D-SNAP is open to individuals and households not currently receiving FNS benefits who were impacted by the storm. There are some income requirements, but it varies depending on impact, so we encourage everyone to apply.
- A family of four may be eligible to receive up to $975.
- On Oct. 18, people can apply by phone, online or in person. For more information, go to www.ncdhhs.gov/dsnap. If you think you may be eligible, please call the D-SNAP Virtual Call Center at 1-844-453-1117.
- The application period will close on Oct. 24, 2024.
Other SNAP Flexibilities:
- People who have EBT cards have more time to report a food loss as a result of Hurricane Helene.
- EBT cards can be used to purchase hot prepared foods from retailers that accept EBT. This applies to all 100 counties in North Carolina and the nearly 700,000 households enrolled in the program.
- EBT cards had 70% of the previous month’s benefits automatically reloaded onto their EBT card due to losing food from sustained power outages.
"My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one or is facing the devastating impacts of this storm. Seeing the western North Carolina communities come together to care for and support each other is inspiring. We will continue to work hard now and over the coming weeks, months and years to help rebuild." — NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley.
Photos available HERE.