Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging western North Carolinians who rely on a private well for their drinking water and were impacted by Hurricane Helene to continue to use bottled, boiled or treated water until private wells can be disinfected and tested for dangerous bacteria. Safety measures and precautions are also needed for septic systems that have been impacted by the storm before returning to use.

READOUT — NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley toured Mitchell and Yancey counties with Governor Roy Cooper on Tuesday, surveying storm damage, meeting with community members and thanking first responders at the Burnsville and Spruce Pine fire departments. The trip concluded with a visit to Sibelco Quartz Mine, a top employer of Mitchell County with about 500 employees. While speaking with members of the media, the Secretary shared updates from the department’s work in collaboration with local, state and federal partners to get the needed care and resources to the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Media Advisory — As part of efforts to help people and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is sharing opportunities for people to contribute to relief efforts, including donating blood. NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley will participate in a blood drive at the American Red Cross in Raleigh on Monday afternoon to encourage other North Carolinians across the state who are eligible to consider donating blood in support of people and communities impacted by the storm.

Press Release — People in 23 Western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene who are enrolled in Food and Nutrition Services now have access to replacement benefits on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. The United States Department of Agriculture approved North Carolina to allow current FNS participants in the 23 counties to receive 70% of their total monthly September benefit back on their EBT card. The benefit replacement is automatic and does not require action from the FNS participant. This impacts more than 200,000 people in North Carolina and more than $24 million in replacement benefits.

PRESS RELEASE — Starting today, people and families in North Carolina who are enrolled in the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program can use their benefits to purchase hot food. This temporary flexibility applies to all 100 counties in North Carolina and the nearly 700,000 households enrolled in the FNS program. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure people impacted by Hurricane Helene receive assistance as soon as possible.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working with state, federal and local partners to help North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene access needed health care. NC Medicaid has been granted additional temporary changes to help with continued care during recovery efforts.

STATEMENT — There is widespread damage and devastation following Hurricane Helene, and many participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) are impacted. There are more than 250,000 people participating in the WIC program statewide. WIC provides access to healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and referrals for health care and community services.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working with state, federal and local partners to help North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene access needed health care. Temporary changes to NC Medicaid will allow people to more easily refill prescriptions early, get medically necessary services, be admitted to a nursing home and more.

PRESS RELEASE — Access to safe and potable water remains a top concern in Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Currently, approximately 160 boil water advisories remain in effect and 27 water plants are closed and not producing water. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is sharing guidance on actions people can take to ensure water is safe and to prevent waterborne disease or illness after the storm.

STATEMENT - The NCDHHS Livestream Fireside Chat and Tele-Town Hall: Understanding Seasonal Vaccines and Respiratory Health In North Carolina scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, has been postponed due to impacts of Hurricane Helene across the state, especially the severe impacts in western North Carolina.