Disaster Assistance
A FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance team is available to assist individuals with completion of assistance applications and provide answers to questions. Team members will be at these location through Saturday 10/26:
• 9am to 5pm – Hot Springs Resort & Campground – 315 Bridge St, Hot Springs, NC 28743
• 9am to 6pm – Marshall Library – 1335 N Main St, Marshall, NC 28753
Team members from North Carolina Community Health Center Association will be on site at the Marshall Library on Tuesday, October 22, to provide information about assistance programs that are available including Disaster SNAP benefits (DSNAP), Medicaid and ACA enrollment, Medicaid Managed Care (and care management services), as well as updates about the Healthy Opportunities Program (HOP).
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on site at the Marshall Library on Saturday, November 2, from 9am to 6pm to discuss options for disaster recovery for homeowners, renters, and business owners. They will present details on their program at 10am but they will be available all day to answer questions and take registrations for their program.
Food and Nutrition Service Benefits
If food that was purchased with DSS Food & Nutrition Service benefits has been damaged or lost because of Hurricane Helene, you may be eligible for food replacement benefits. Replacement benefits have automatically been loaded to your EBT card if you participate in SNAP.
Medicaid
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.
Federal flexibilities are active statewide from Sept. 25, 2024, through the end of the Hurricane Helene Public Health Emergency declaration for North Carolina and are intended to support Hospitals, Psychiatric Hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, including Cancer Centers and Long-Term Care Hospitals so that they can ensure:
• People can receive emergency medical treatment.
• There are places to provide hospital care to people.
• There are people to provide health care.
• Telemedicine is available.
• Hospitalized patients have continuity of care.
• People can get the care they need in a long-term care or skilled nursing facility.
• Acute care patients can stay longer.
• Patients get the care they need in the best environment.
• People with intellectual disabilities being cared for in facilities continue to receive services.
• People have the medical equipment and medicine they need.
For detailed information on Additional Temporary Flexibilities in Place for Medicaid Beneficiaries Due to Hurricane Helene Devastation, go to www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2024/10/04/additional-temporary-flexibilities-place-medicaid-beneficiaries-due-hurricane-helene-devastation.
Unemployment Information
You may qualify for Disaster Unemployment Insurance. People, including self-employed, or business owners may be eligible for DUA if:
• You lived, worked, or were scheduled to work in an area designated under major disaster designation.
• You lost employment or had your employment interrupted as a direct result of the disaster, and
• You have exhausted or are not eligible for state unemployment benefits.
Individuals can go online to the NC Division of Employment Security and file a claim at des.nc.gov or call the DUA Hotline 919-629-3875. Madison NC Works at A-B Tech Madison is available to answer questions and assist.
Madison County Inspections
We understand that the recent hurricane has caused significant hardship for many in our community, and our hearts go out to those who have suffered severe damage or loss of their homes. In response, building inspectors will be visiting neighborhoods to assess the condition of structures. Our goal is to ensure safety and help guide the rebuilding process. We deeply appreciate your patience and cooperation during this challenging time.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to the Madison County Development Services Department (828-319-5003). Remember, you are not alone, and we are here to support you as we work together to rebuild our community. Stay safe and take care.
Disaster Help
Golden LEAF is making resources available to organizations to support immediate relief for individuals and families including home repair, addressing unmet needs, and helping transition out of FEMA supported housing programs. Governmental entities and 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits are eligible to apply. Funds may not be used to support businesses. At this time, Golden LEAF expects most awards not to exceed $100,000. Grant funds may not be used to provide cash or loans to survivors, to purchase land, or for grant administration. Costs incurred or paid prior to the award date are not eligible. For details, please visit goldenleaf.org/helene-relief.
Legal Aid of North Carolina is able to help residents with starting the process with FEMA benefits, applying for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, and requesting Crisis Cleanup Assistance. For more information, visit legalaidnc.org/tropical-storm-helene-disaster-assistance.
NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services hotline is active. This hotline is to connect farmers with resources that can assist with damage and other agricultural emergencies related to the storm. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. A live operator will be available on the hotline between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
For those in need of hay, feed or other essential livestock goods and services, there are two ways to request assistance:
• Please fill out a Livestock Assistance Form online if you are able at ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu/2024/10/ncdacs-hay-assistance-portal/
• If you are unable to fill out the Livestock Assistance Form you may also call the hotline: 1-866-645-9403
For those wishing to donate hay, feed, or other essential livestock goods and services or for anyone interested in providing assistance by housing livestock:
• Please fill out a Livestock Assistance Form online if you are able at ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu/2024/10/ncdacs-hay-assistance-portal/
• If you are unable to fill out the Livestock Assistance Form you may also call the hotline: 1-866-645-9403
• If needed, you will be contacted by someone from NCSU or NCDA.
Animal Care
State Help for Farmers and Pet Owners
For Farmers – Charles Zink of FSA will be in his office (296 Old Marshall Hwy, Marshall), open 8-10am, for farmers who have sustained loss of crop or livestock or who have had damage to their land. Phones are not working yet. You can email at charles.zink@usda.gov. He will have a box at his office to drop off information.
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) has resources if you were impacted by Helene, asapconnections.org/farmer-resources/emergency-relief.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its hotline to connect farmers with resources that can assist with damage and other agricultural emergencies related to the storm. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. A live operator will be available on the hotline between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
County/Area Services
Town of Marshall – A temporary Town Hall is set up at 10 Derringer Drive, across from the entrance to Madison High School. This building will be home to Administration, Police, and Public Works for the rest of 2024 and into 2025 while the town finds a permanent or longer-term solution. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Town Hall can be reached by dialing 649-3031 and Police will continue to be reached at 649-2111. Emergency calls should continue to go to 911.
Early Voting – Early voting begins on October 17 as scheduled. It ends November 2. Early Voting locations: Beech Glen, Hot Springs Senior Meal Site, AB Tech Madison campus
Food Distribution
Food and water supplies are being routed to area community centers and churches to move them closer to each community. Residents can pick up there. Community groups can also pick up pallets of water and ready to eat meals at the fairgrounds.
• Abundant Mercy Church – 6180, 3574 NC-213, Marshall. Hours: M-F 10-2
• Antioch Methodist Church – 44 Grassy Creek Rd, Hot Springs. Hours: M-F 12-5
• Barnard General Store – 23 Barnard Church Road, Marshall. Hours: M-SA 9-5; Sun after 12 on request
• Beacon of Hope – 5111 US 25/70. Hours: M-F 12-4
• California Creek Baptist Church – 5131 Alt US 23, Mars Hill, NC. Hours: 10am-4pm M, W, Fri-Sun
• Center Community Center – 1300 Grapevine Rd, Marshall. Hours: M, T, W, F – 8am-1pm
• Ebbs Chapel Community Center – 281 Laurel Valley Road, Mars Hill. Hours: 9-5 M-Sat
• Enon Baptist Church – 174 Ammons Branch Rd. Hours: Tues and Thurs 12-4
• Foster Creek Baptist Church – 10710 Big Laurel Rd. 9-5 M-F
• Freedom Christian Church – 7350 US 25/70 Bypass, Marshall. Hours: 10am-5pm
• Laurel Community Center – 4100 NC 212 Hwy., (Shelton Laurel) Marshall. Hours: 8am-8pm
• Little Ivy Baptist Church – 1053 Crossroads Pkwy., Mars Hill. Hours: 9am-8pm M-F
• Mars Hill Baptist – 67 N Main St, Mars Hil. Hours: 9-4 M-F
• Revere-Rice Community Center – 3980 Revere Rd., Marshall. Hours: 11am-2pm M-Sat
• Spring Creek Community Center – 13075 NC 209 Hwy, Hot Springs. Hours: 2-6pm T, TH, SA
• St. Andrew Catholic Church – 149 Brook St, Mars Hill. Hours: 10-2pm
• Vision Missionary Baptist Church – 386 Phillips Valley Rd., Mars Hill. Hours: 1-5pm M-Sat
• Walnut Community Center – 46 School Rd, Marshall
