North Carolina has officially received a Major Disaster Declaration, making individuals in Madison County eligible for Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Individual Assistance provides financial aid and services to eligible individuals and households that have been affected by a disaster to assist with the recovery process.
Individuals can officially begin applying for Individual Assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST.
It will take 1-2 weeks for FEMA to visit Hot Springs to assess the damage. Businesses are advised to postpone cleanup until after that. Please do not drive to town unless you are bringing supplies or helping in some way.
Schools have been closed until further notice.
If you need shelter, the Madison Early College (5734 US 25-70 Hwy., Marshall) is the site for most of the county. They are not a food distribution site.
Food and water supplies are being brought into the county by helicopter. These supplies are being routed to your area volunteer fire department to move them closer to each community. You can pick up there.
Beacon of Hope in Marshall is serving as a distribution site, a donation site, a transfer/holding station, and a communications hub for efforts in Hot Springs, Marshall, and beyond. They are distributing food Monday-Friday, 12-4 p.m.
Mars Hill Baptist, 67 N. Main Street in Mars Hill, has water, showers, WIFI, and other resources available for the community.
Beginning Monday, September 30, the Mashburn office of the Hot Springs Health Program will be open daily from 9-4. You do not need to be a patient to be seen by them. If you are out of important daily medication, please bring your empty container with dosage information, if possible, to Mashburn and they will work to help with refills. The Hot Springs branch of the HSHP will also be open by 10 a.m. for area residents.
For Resident Welfare checks, contact Madison County Emergency Operations Center at 828-649-1955 or email e911@madisoncountync.gov.
Residents trying to connect with family members may call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state) to report missing loved ones.
