In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, our community has faced significant challenges. The Burke County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting both businesses and community members during this difficult time. Find essential resources that can help you or your business recover and rebuild. Our team will update this page as additional information is available. Please note that this information is subject to change.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Important Contacts
Burke County Government is coordinating supply Points of Distribution- call 828-764-3204 with questions.
Burke County Volunteer Hotline – 828-764-7068
Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline – 844-965-1386
Text PERSON to 40403 to get a welfare check or report a missing loved one.
Local Information
Burke County Website – Stay informed with the latest news and official updates on Hurricane Helene from Burke County here.
Burke County Public Schools – Updates and resources can be found here.
Burke County United Way Resource Sheet – A document that is being updated continually by Burke County United Way. Please text them at 828-433-0681 to add or update info on available resources. To view the sheet, click here.
Resource Sheet Developed by Members of Our Community – A list of resources developed by members of the Burke County community. View here.
Free Food, Water, & Supplies in Burke
Foothills Higher Education Building
2128 S Sterling St, Morganton
Water, non-perishable food, toiletries, diapers, baby wipes, batteries, and other essential items
Open Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM for donation drop off
Open Monday – Friday 8 AM – 8 PM for supply pick up for citizens
Burke County Government is coordinating at this location – call 828-764-3204 with questions.
Burke County has established 3 more Points of Distribution (PODs) throughout the county:
George Hildebran Fire / Rescue
7470 George Hildebran School RD
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Longtown Fire Department
7765 South Mtn. Institute RD
Nebo, NC 28761
Enola Fire / Rescue
2510 Enola RD
Morganton, NC 28655
Jonas Ridge Fire Department
8224 Buckeye Hollow Rd
Newland, NC 28657
Burke United Christian Ministries
305-B West Union Street, Morganton
This week, Soup Kitchen will be open 11 AM -12:30 PM
Food pantry will be open 9 AM – 2 PM
They are accepting donations of non-perishable food items (ready to eat foods with pop top cans), water, tents, tarps, small sized pants, and monetary donations. Donate here.
Latino Distribution Center (bilingüe)
Law Office of Victor N Yamouti
216 E Concord St. Morganton
Food, water and baby diapers/wipes and baby formula
12 PM – 8 PM
Glen Alpine Fire Department
103 Pitts St, Morganton
Cases of Water bottles – 1 case per person. There until 5 PM or while supplies last.
Pregnancy Care Center of Morganton
113 Clay St, Morganton
FREE DIAPERS AND WIPES, as well as some formula.
Tuesday, October 1st – Thursday, October 3rd
10 AM -1 PM Each Day
Supplies are limited. 1 pack of diapers per child and 1 pack of wipes per family.
No appointment needed. Landlines are down, please call or text 828-432-6187 with any questions.
Burke Animal Services
425 Kirksey Dr. Morganton
FREE dog and cat food to all citizens of Burke County affected by the storm
Wednesday, October 2, 10 AM – 1 PM (or until supplies run out)
*Note: We will still be supplying fosters with supplies during this time as well!
Maynard Electric Company
117 Dugout Circle Morganton
Refrigerated truck – taking cold food donations for those who do have power now
Breathe Yoga & Pilates
115 W Union St, Morganton, NC
10 AM – 4 PM
Trade or grab essential items like water, canned goods, household supplies
Charging station
BUSINESS RESOURCES
The NC Chamber has resources here. Relevant federal and state resources will be on their site as they become available to assist those affected.
The US Chamber has resources for small businesses here. Access checklists on reopening your business after a disaster, learn how to apply for Federal Loans and Financial Assistance, access Mental Health resources, Insurance help, and Employee Assistance Programs.
U.S. Small Business Administration Loans – It’s helpful to start the process as soon as you are able. You don’t have to wait for insurance coverage determinations or claims denials to apply for SBA programs. SBA loans are geared towards helping survivors recover with very low interest rates compared to the regular lending market’s easy easy repayment terms. Learn more.
The Internal Revenue Service announced disaster tax relief for all individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. Taxpayers in qualified areas will now have until May 1, 2025 to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. More information here.
The U.S. Chamber Foundation’s National Disaster Help Desk can help businesses and organizations both in the impact area and looking to support the impact area. It can be reached at 888-MY-BIZ-HELP (or 888-692-4943). Additionally, they offer this online resource to help businesses take care of their employees’ needs, communicate the impact, address financial matters (e.g., insurance, disaster assistance), restore operations, and organize recovery.
WAYS TO HELP
Item Donations
Town of Long View – Collecting items to take to Burke County to be distributed. If you’re able to help, please bring supplies listed here to Town Hall between now and Oct. 7, 2024.
Town of Rutherford College – Donations can be delivered to to Town Hall or the Foothills Higher Education Center. For a list of the most needed items, click here.
Town of Valdese – The Old Rock School will now be a small drop off site for donations to the WNC recovery effort. Items will be delivered with the help of local churches to areas in dire need. Donations will be accepted from 8am-12pm and they ask that donations be limited to the items listed here. For more info, call 828-879-2129.
Financial Contributions
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund – Click here.
Burke County United Way –Donate to the Burke United Way’s relief fund here.
American Red Cross North Carolina – To Make a financial donation, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or text HELENE to 90999. Visit here to donate.
The Salvation Army of the Carolinas – Donate to the Salvation Army Hurricane Helene Relief here.
Samaritan’s Purse – Donate to the Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts here.
Operation Airdrop – Fund fuel for volunteer pilots running evacuation missions and supply drops in western North Carolina out of the Hickory Regional Airport here.
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is accepting donations to help with community and business relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the High Country. Gifts can be made at this link and The Chamber will distribute funds locally to businesses and community efforts as needs are further assessed throughout Watauga County over the days and weeks ahead.
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce (501(c)(6) and McDowell Chamber Community & Business Impact, Inc (501(c)(3) are non-profit organizations supporting this cause. Donations will support those affected by the storm, providing critical relief such as shelter, medical care, food, water, and rebuilding efforts in the hardest-hit communities in McDowell County. Donate here.
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
Donations will support Asheville and Buncombe County’s businesses. Email payments@AshevilleChamber.org and note that the funds are for Hurricane Relief. The address for checks is Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 1010, Asheville, NC 28802. Please note: Hurricane Relief on check.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Access Crisis Cleanup hotlines, Emergency Declarations, Open Shelters, Power Outages, Disaster Distress Helplines, Report Price Gauging, Report Repair Scams, and access Individual Assistance resources here.
Resources to individual counties are also available for access on the NCDPS page here.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available in 25 Counties Following Hurricane Helene. Learn more here.
Special thanks to the Burke County United Way and the Chamber of Catawba County for providing a large portion of this resource list. We appreciate our partners across WNC.
