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
Burke County FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) – For more info, call 828-439-4340 or click here.
Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline – 844-965-1386
Resources for other counties in WNC – click here.
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.
Burke County FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC):
Burke County’s FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open daily from 8am until 7pm. It’s located at 2128 South Sterling Street Morganton NC 28655, Foothills Higher Education Center on the I-40 side of the building. The DRC will be open 8am until 7pm daily until at least December 14th, 2024. The Disaster Recovery Center will provide vital resources and assistance to individuals and businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. FEMA representatives and state and local agencies will be available to help residents navigate disaster recovery resources, provide information on aid programs, and assist with FEMA registration and claims. For more information, call 828-439-4340 or visit https://www.burkenc.org/2600/Hurricane-Helene
Free Food, Water, & Supplies in Burke
Burke County Government is coordinating supply Points of Distribution – Call 828-764-3204 with questions.
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.
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. Volunteers needed! Call or tect 828-201-0181 for more information.
Showers, Shelters, & Charging Stations in Burke
Phifer Family YMCA
2165 S Sterling St, Morganton
Showers and charging stations
5:30 AM – 8 PM
Oak Hill Methodist Church
2239 NC 181, Morganton
Red Cross Emergency Shelter
Valdese Recreation Department
312 Massel Ave SE Valdese
Showers, Bring your own towel & toiletries.
Open daily 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM. Call 828-879-2132 for details.
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
Burke County Donations Hotline – Call 828-764-3204 for information on donation needs and how to get donated items.
Foothils Higher Education Center – Not currently acceping donations.
Volunteer
Burke County Volunteer Hotline – Call 828-764-7068 for information on volunteer needs or to request assistance.
Financial Contributions
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund – Click here.
Burke County United Way – Donate to the Burke United Way’s relief fund here.
Burke Community Foundations Emergency Relief Fund – Donate 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.
