As communities across the Southeast deal with the impacts of Hurricane Helene, our thoughts are with those responding and recovering from the storm. To support leaders during the aftermath of Helene, the American Flood Coalition compiled these resources. 

FEMA Public Assistance

FEMA’s Public Assistance program can help communities shoulder the burden of recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

The Public Assistance program helps eligible state, local, territorial, and tribal governments, as well as certain nonprofits, quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the president. Governments must submit a Request for Public Assistance within 30 days of the emergency declaration date, unless an extension is granted.

There are two types of eligible work under the Public Assistance program: Emergency Work and Permanent Work.

Public Assistance for Emergency Work

Public Assistance for Emergency Work includes efforts to save lives; protect public health and safety; protect improved property; and eliminate or reduce the immediate threat of additional damage. Public Assistance for Emergency Work falls into two categories:

• Debris Removal (Category A): Includes clearing, removing, and disposing of debris from public and private property, if in the public interest.
• Emergency Protective Measures (Category B): Includes efforts taken before, during, and after an incident to eliminate or lessen threats to lives, public health, and safety; or to eliminate or reduce threats of significant additional damage to public or private property in a cost-effective manner.

Public Assistance for Emergency Work must be completed within six months of the emergency declaration date, unless an extension is granted.

Public Assistance for Permanent Work

Public Assistance for Permanent Work includes efforts to restore disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and eligible private nonprofit facilities. Public Assistance for Permanent Work falls into five categories:

• Roads and Bridges (Category C): Includes paved, gravel, or dirt roads.
• Water Control Facilities (Category D): Includes dams and reservoirs, levees and floodwalls, aqueducts, navigational waterways, and shipping channels.
• Buildings and Equipment (Category E): Includes structural and nonstructural components, such as mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as building contents, equipment and furnishings; equipment includes vehicle and construction equipment.
• Utilities (Category F): Includes water storage, power generation, and sewage collection utilities, as well as communication systems.
• Parks, Recreational, and Other (Category G): Includes mass transit, beaches, boat docks, and other facilities that do not fall under the other categories.

Public Assistance for Permanent Work must be completed within 18 months of the emergency declaration date, unless an extension is granted.

Impacted states

The following states have received a federal disaster declaration for Helene.

NOTE: The following information is current as of October 4, 2024, but is expected to change. AFC will provide updates on a regular basis. 

Florida

To check if you are in a designated area eligible for Public Assistance, review FEMA’s website for DR-4828-FL.

Prospective Public Assistance applicants in Florida should contact the Florida Division of Emergency Management by phone (850-815-4485) or email (RPA.HELP@em.myflorida.com) to submit a Request for Public Assistance by October 28, 2024.

Learn more about the Public Assistance program in Florida.

South Carolina 

To check if you are in a designated area eligible for Public Assistance, review FEMA’s website for DR-4829-SC.

Prospective Public Assistance applicants in South Carolina should contact the South Carolina Emergency Management Division by phone (803-367-7756) or email (PA@emd.sc.gov) to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) by October 29, 2024.

Learn more about the Public Assistance program in South Carolina.

North Carolina 

To check if you are in a designated area eligible for Public Assistance, review FEMA’s website for DR-4827-NC.

Prospective Public Assistance applicants in North Carolina should contact the North Carolina Emergency Management by phone (919-825-2500) or email by October 28, 2024. 

Learn more about the Public Assistance program in North Carolina.

Georgia

To check if you are in a designated area eligible for Public Assistance, review FEMA’s website for DR-4830-GA.

Prospective Public Assistance applicants in Georgia should contact the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency by phone (404-635-7200 or 800 879-4362) or email (publicassistance@gema.ga.gov) to submit a Request for Public Assistance by October 30, 2024.

Learn more about the Public Assistance program in Georgia.

Virginia

To check if you are in a designated area eligible for Public Assistance, review FEMA’s website for DR-4831-VA.

Prospective Public Assistance applicants in Virginia should contact the Virginia Department of Emergency Management by phone (804 267-7600) or email (pio@vdem.virginia.gov or vdemgrants@vdem.virginia.gov) to submit a Request for Public Assistance by October 31, 2024.

Learn more about the Public Assistance program in Virginia.

Tennessee

To check if you are in a designated area eligible for Public Assistance, review FEMA’s website for DR-4832-TN.

Prospective Public Assistance Applicants in Tennessee should contact the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency by phone (615 741-0001) to submit a Request for Public Assistance by November 1, 2024.

Learn more about the Public Assistance program in Tennessee.

Communicate with constituents about federal assistance and programs

FEMA Individual Assistance 

After a disaster, FEMA can provide assistance to individuals in eligible areas through the Individuals and Households Program, Mass Care and Emergency Assistance, and other programs.

To apply for individual assistance from FEMA or other federal programs, individuals can use DisasterAssistance.gov’s Assistance Finder tool.

Extension of National Flood Insurance Program Renewal Period

FEMA extended the grace period for NFIP policyholders in states impacted by Helene to renew their policies without a lapse in coverage. Policyholders in the following states who have had flood damage can renew their policies until November 26, 2024:

• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Virginia
• Tennessee

The extension covers policies with expiration dates beginning August 28, 2024 and grace periods ending prior to November 26, 2024:

Additionally, FEMA has extended the proof of loss requirement for NFIP policyholders who suffered flood damage from Helene from 60 days to 120 days from the date of loss.

For more information on how to file a claim, individuals can visit floodsmart.org.

Checklist for immediate needs

After a disaster, the top priority of local leaders is safety. But it can be tough to know where to start and what to prioritize. This checklist focuses on seven immediate needs for a community during response and recovery.