Helene Support to Western Carolina
FEMA will be spending the next few weeks doing a preliminary assessment prior to establishing Joint Field Offices in order to coordinate efforts with the NCDOT and the State Emergency Management Office. FEMA currently has field engineers in the affected areas who will provide technical assessments to the counties. Once needs are assessed counties will procure cost estimates and define the contracts available to be competed for by vendors.
In the interim, the NCMBC is monitoring federal and state contract opportunities associated with Hurricane Helene recovery and will notify businesses of opportunities using normal NCMBC notification processes and will be posted to the recovery webpage on NCMBC.
NCDOT will be a primary player in the contracting in response to the hurricane. Even though this is an emergency, NCDOT is required to solicit vendors to compete for contracts related to the emergency response effort.
An Introductory Guide to Government Contracting for Hurricane Recovery in North Carolina
State of North Carolina Information
North Carolina Department of Public Safety: The purpose of this page is to provide information and resources to North Carolina residents and visitors who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
- Hurricane Helene Response Website
- Unless it is an emergency, all roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed. Travel in this area for non-emergency purposes is hindering needed emergency response.
- Visit DriveNC.Gov for the most up-to-date information on roadway conditions from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. There may be closed roads not listed on the DriveNC.gov website, as many areas are not able to report at this time. The situation is still too fluid to recommend an alternative route to take in western NC.
- An Unprecedented Response: State, Local and Federal Partners Surge Resources into Western NC Following Historic Damage from Hurricane Helene
North Carolina Department of Transportation:
- Connect NCDOT Home: Bringing Business and Government together with online collaboration.
- You must prequalify your business before working with NCDOT.
- Next steps after prequalification.
- Certification programs for small and underutilized businesses.
- Hurricane Helene Opportunities:
- Invitation to Perform as Fully Operated Rental Equipment Service for Tropical Storm Helene Cleanup. County: Buncombe, Burke, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford, and Yancey.
- Projects that can actively be bid on as of 9-26-2024
North Carolina Department of Commerce
Opportunities
- State Opportunity: County of Buncombe Comprehensive Disaster Recovery (Responses Due October 11, 2024)
- State Opportunity: Disaster Recovery Grant Management Services, City of Asheville, NC (Responses Due October 11, 2024)
- State Opportunity: Disaster Recovery, Financial and Grant Management Support, Planning Services (Responses Due October 10, 2024)
NC Community College System: Support to Western Carolina
Other Support
Federal Agency Information
| Organization | Website | Deadline |
| Small Business Administration | https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance | Property Damage: November 27, 2024 Economic Injury: June 30, 2024 |
| FEMA | https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene | November 27, 2024 |
| Disaster Unemployment Assistance | https://www.des.nc.gov/dua | December 2, 2024 |
Disaster Response Registry. When national emergencies or disasters such as floods and hurricanes occur, supplies and services need to be procured and rushed to the affected area quickly. To expedite this process, the System for Award Management (SAM) contains a Disaster Response Registry in accordance with FAR Subpart 4.11 and FAR Subpart 26.2 listing those contractors who are willing to provide debris removal, distribution of supplies, reconstruction, and other disaster or emergency relief supplies and/ or services.
Small Business Administration:
- SBA Launches Recovery Centers for Hurricane Helene Survivors: Help for Displaced and Hard-Hit.
- SBA Disaster Assistance Website. Explore SBA’s low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters.
- SBA Launches Disaster Assistance for North Carolina Residents and Businesses Impacted by Tropical Storm Helene
- SBA Tropical Storm Helene Fact Sheet – Disaster Loans Available to Businesses and Residents in North Carolina
Working with FEMA:
- FEMA Hurricane Helene Information Website
- FEMA Small Business Program
- Vendor Profile Registration
- Opportunity: FEMA: Resilience Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program (HMTAP) Non-Architectural and Engineering A&E Services. This is not Hurricane Helene specific but a very important IDIQ opportunity that covers North Carolina. The purpose of this effort is to procure services that provide the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Resilience enhanced capability and capacity in meeting pre-disaster, disaster, and post-disaster mitigation and environmental responsibilities as set forth in the task order. Sector A: Region IV: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee; Region VII: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska; Region IX: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands; FEMA Headquarters –Office of Environmental and Historic Preservation (OEHP), and Risk Management Directorate (RMD)
US Army Corps of Engineers: Contracting in Disasters
Department of Veterans Affairs information for impacted veterans.
IRS Announcement for North Carolina victims of Hurricane Helene. IRS announces tax relief for victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina; various deadlines postponed to May 1, 2025
Relief Assistance and Civilian Support. We will add to this list as more become available.
Operation Airdrop: Operation Airdrop is a Texas-based 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to providing rapid relief to communities impacted by natural disasters. Founded in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Operation Airdrop mobilizes volunteer pilots and a diverse fleet of aircraft to deliver essential supplies to areas cut off from traditional aid routes. By partnering with local charities and organizations, they ensure that vital resources—such as food, medical supplies, and baby items—reach those in need within hours, not days. Operation Airdrop is actively providing aid to those affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina in an initiative titled Operation Helene. For more information and to see how you or your business can assist in this effort: https://www.operation-airdrop.com/hurricane-helene
Immediate Supply Need for Western Carolina: check with your local religious affiliations and school districts for regional collection sites.
- Oil & gas & chains for chainsaws; 2 stroke and regular fuel
- Medical: Chewable Benadryl for the bee problem (yellow jackets are a current issue); O2 tubing; CAT tourniquets; Glucometers; Children’s meds; Bottles; Gauze; Large bandaids; Burn ointment; Claritin/Zyrtec (adult and child); Peroxide; Rubbing alcohol
- Chains for tires
- Grills for cooking and charcoal
- Lighters
- Coffee
- Bar and chain oil
- Gas cans
- Solid baby food
- Blankets
- Batteries – all sizes
- Drink mixes
- Water
- Solar lights / lanterns, hand held can openers
- Candles, flashlights with batteries
- Work gloves ALL sizes including SM
- Generators for oxygen dependents
- Nursing home needs: ensure and adult diapers
- Hospital needs: anything baby related
Monetary Donations can be made to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund or the North Carolina Community College Foundation (all donations to the Foundation will support the 14 community colleges and their foundations serving 26 designated areas of western North Carolina impacted by Tropical Storm Helene).
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