Hurricane Helene

Executive Orders

State of Emergency (EO37)

Press Release Updates

• Blue Ridge Parkway to Reopen (10/10)
• Disaster Assistance for Virginia Survivors of Tropical Storm Helene Tops $2 Million (10/10)
• FEMA Extends Renewal Period for Flood Insurance Policyholders in Seven States Affected by Helene (10/10)
• Disaster Recovery Center in Tazewell, Va. will Open on Oct. 11 (10/10)
• Holiday Change in Disaster Recovery Center Hours (10/10)
• Disaster Recovery Center in Independence, Va. Will Open Oct. 10 (10/9)
• VEC to Provide Unemployment Assistance in Taylors Valley (10/9)
• FEMA Individual Assistance Now Available for More Virginians (10/8)
• Important Update on FEMA Public Assistance in Virginia – Hurricane Helene (DR-4831-VA) (10/8)
• Virginia Department of Health's Southwest Health Districts Offer Guidance During Boil Water Notices (10/7)
• USDA Offers Disaster Assistance Available for Hurricane Helene Recovery (10/7)
• VNG Soldier helps preserve family's memories during flood response (10/7)
• In Photos: Commonwealth of Virginia and FEMA Working Together to Support Recovery for Helene Survivors (10/7)
• Two Additional Counties Added to Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Declaration for Hurricane Helene Relief (10/7)
• SBA Launches Business Recovery Centers for Tropical Storm Helene Survivors: Help for the Displaced and Hard-Hit (10/5)
• FEMA Assistance Now Available for More Virginians (10/5)
• In Photos: Commonwealth of Virginia and FEMA Working Together to Support Recovery for Helene Survivors (10/5)
• President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Increases Federal Cost Share for Virginia (10/5)
• USDA Offers Resources, Adds Flexibilities to Disaster Assistance Programs to Help Hurricane Helene-Impacted Farmers, Foresters and Communities (10/4)
• Virginia National Guard continues support after Hurricane Helene (10/4)
• Virginia Department of Health's Southwest Health Districts Offer Safety Tips for Private Wells and Septic Systems (10/4)
• The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) to provide unemployment assistance to people who lost their job or business due to Hurricane Helene (10/2)
• Hurricane Helene roadway recovery efforts continue in Southwest Virginia (10/2)
• Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Virginia Receives Expedited Major Disaster Declaration (10/2)
• Donation and Volunteer Coordination Center Opened in Damascus (9/30)
• *Updated* VDEM Conducting Initial Damage Assessments in Southwest Virginia (9/30)
• Virginia Department of Health's Southwest Health Districts Offer Tips to Prevent Injuries and Foodborne Illness (9/30)
• Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Virginia's Federal Emergency Declaration Has Been Approved to Aid Recovery Efforts in Southwest Virginia (9/29)
• President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Virginia Emergency Declaration (9/29)
• Governor Glenn Youngkin Assesses Storm Damage Caused by Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia (9/28)
• Helene may have left VA, but effects remain behind (Culpeper District) (9/28)
• VNG staged, ready in Abingdon, Roanoke for possible severe weather response operations (9/27)
• VDOT prepares for impacts of Hurricane Helene (9/26)
• Hurricane Helene to impact VDOT's Lynchburg District (9/26)
• Wind and rain from Hurricane Helene headed to western Virginia (Salem District) (9/26)
• Hurricane Helene remnants may produce some flooded roads in the Shenandoah Valley (Staunton District) (9/26)
• Heavy rains, approaching hurricane bring high water (Culpeper District) (9/26)
• Governor Glenn Youngkin Declares State of Emergency in Advance of Hurricane Helene (9/25)

Recovery FAQs

Click Here to View Frequently Asked Questions

State Public Inquiry Line

Residents in need of information can call: 211 or reach out to their local emergency management office. For individuals near the borders of Virginia, you may need to dial 1-800-230-6977 directly in order to route to 211 Virginia to avoid the system routing you to 211 NC or TN.

Latest Boil Water Advisories

Virginia Department of Health Helene Response Information

Resource and Recovery Centers

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

Residents of Bedford, Bland, Carroll, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties and cities of Galax and Radford are now eligible to apply for assistance from FEMA under the Individual Assistance Program. FEMA assistance can help with costs from damage and losses due to Tropical Storm Helene.

You may visit a DRC to:

• Learn about disaster assistance programs
• Apply for disaster assistance
• Check the status of your FEMA application
• Understand FEMA notices or letters
• Find housing and rental assistance information
• Get referrals to agencies

FEMA may be able to help you pay for essential items, temporary housing, home repairs and other needs due to the disaster, including:

• Essential items such as water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, medical supplies and equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation;
• Financial assistance to help pay for hotel stays, stays with family and friends, or other options while you look for a rental unit as well as rental assistance if you are displaced because of the disaster;
• Repair or replacement of a vehicle, appliances, room furnishings, personal or family computer;
• Books, uniforms, tools, computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment; and
• Moving and storage fees, medical expenses, childcare and funeral expenses.

For more information about the types of FEMA assistance available under the Individual Assistance Program, visit: fema.gov/ia.

Survivors do not have to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. You can call 800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone line operates seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. You can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA App on your phone.

Individual Assistance Registration Deadline

Monday: December 2, 2024

For a list of current DRC locations, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4831

Small Business Administration Business Recovery Centers

On Oct. 15, the SBA announced that it exhausted funds for its disaster loan program.

• Until Congress appropriates additional funds, the SBA is pausing new loan offers for its direct, low-interest, long term loans to disaster survivors.
• However, SBA is encouraging individuals and small businesses to continue to apply for loans given assurances from Congressional leaders that additional funding will be provided upon Congress’s return in November.
• In Virginia, SBA will still staff Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). SBA will continue to process applications for assistance and will disperse funds as soon as possible once Congress appropriates funding.

Customer Service Representatives at the Business Recovery Centers will assist businesses and residents complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Business Recovery Center in advance.

Independent City of Galax

Crossroads Institute

1117 E Stuart Drive

Galax, VA 24333

Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed: Sunday

Read more: https://www.sba.gov/article/2024/10/05/sba-launches-business-recovery-centers-tropical-storm-helene-survivors-help-displaced-hard-hit

About the SBA

• The Small Business Administration works closely with FEMA to assist businesses and homeowners in the form of low interest disaster loans. Disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations can cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Homeowners may be eligible for a disaster loan for structural repairs or rebuilding. Homeowners and renters may be eligible for a loan to replace personal property, including damaged or destroyed vehicles.
• The SBA filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 2, 2024. The SBA deadline to return economic injury applications is July 1, 2025

Resources for Localities

Debris Cleanup - Presentation (PDF)

Truck Certification - Job Aid (PDF)

Hanger Summary - Form (PDF)

Monitor Log - Form (PDF)

Right of Entry - Form (PDF)

Truck Certification - Form (PDF)

Load Ticket - Job Aid (PDF)

Debris and Damage Cleanup

Seven Localities Have Requested Debris Cleanup:

• Grayson County (Nov. 18)
• Washington County (Nov. 18)
• City of Bristol (Nov. 22)
• Wythe County (Nov. 25)
• Giles County (Nov. 25)
• Carroll County (Dec. 2)
• Russell County (Dec. 9)

Debris pickup in these localities will begin on the date listed by each locality.

If you are not a resident of one of these localities, you may dispose of your debris per your usual local requirements. If you have any questions, reach out to your local landfill/transfer station.

How should I separate the debris on my property?

• Debris removal is for construction and demolition debris related to Hurricane Helene -- this includes damage from homes such as sheetrock, wood, insulation, and siding -- vegetative debris and tires. Place these items in separate piles to be picked up.
• Debris related to Hurricane Helene must be moved to the edge of your property, adjacent to a publicly accessible road by the required date for each jurisdiction.
• Do not put your storm-related debris in the roadway, as this poses a hazard to drivers.
• Do not put your storm-related debris in a drainage ditch, as this may increase the risk of flooding.
• Debris must be accessible to the debris removal truck idled on a publicly owned roadway. Crews will not access private property to remove debris; please do not ask them to do so.
• Do not bag your debris.
• Crews will not pick up debris that is not related to Hurricane Helene.
• Crews will not pick up debris from waterways, debris from agricultural areas, larger household appliances and hazardous containers.
• If you need assistance moving debris to the edge of your property, you should contact your local emergency manager who will connect you with a VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster).

What should I do with my household hazardous waste?

While removal of these items is not part of the debris removal operation in the specified counties, we wanted you to know that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is picking up these items for disposal along the route of the debris contract.

** You may place them in a separate pile along the public roadway and schedule a pickup by calling 2-1-1

The following items are eligible for pickup by the EPA:

• Large household appliances such as refrigerators, washers/dryers, etc.
• Paint, any type of container
• Household Cleaners
• Damaged oil tanks
• Gas cylinders, including aerosol cans
• Fuel cans, garage chemicals such as mineral oil, lawnmower gas, etc.
• Batteries

The following items are NOT eligible for pickup by the EPA:

• Medical waste and needles
• Asbestos as part of construction debris
• Household trash

Can I haul my debris to a collection site?

Each locality has a permitted solid waste management facility, e.g., landfill or transfer station. These facilities can accept your storm-related debris if you can load and transport the debris to the appropriate facility. For more information on permitted solid waste management facilities, contact your local government.

How do I get help cleaning up?

If you need assistance moving debris to the edge of your property, you should contact your local emergency manager who will connect you with a VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster).

How to Return Home Safely

• Each year, a significant number of people are injured or killed in the aftermath of a hurricane. As you return home and begin the recovery phase, keep these safety tips in mind:
• Wait to return to your property until local officials have declared that the area is safe.
• Do not enter a building until it has been inspected for damage to the electrical system, gas lines, septic systems, and water lines or wells.
• Avoid drinking tap water until you know it is safe. If uncertain, boil or purify it first.
• Watch for fallen objects and downed electrical wires; Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines – consider them energized and dangerous; report downed power lines to your local utility provider.

Report Price Gouging

If you believe you are impacted by price-gouging, you are encouraged to file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Section of the Attorney General’s office by phone at 800-552-9963, by email at consumer@oag.state.va.us, or through the online complaint form.

Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act

Local Emergency Management Directory

Find local emergency manager contact information here: https://lemd.vdem.virginia.gov/Public/

Damage Assessment and State/Federal Assistance Processes

The results of the damage assessments will assist in determining if eligibility exists for State or Federal recovery programs. State and federal disaster programs are structured so that certain criteria have to be met to determine eligibility. Damage assessments assist in determining if those criteria are met and what the extent of the damages are from the disaster.

Additional information on the damage assessment process can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/how-declared

Public Assistance:

The term Public Assistance can be misleading. This type of disaster assistance is for local, state, tribal governments, and certain private-non-profits, only. This type of assistance is not for residents and property owners. Public Assistance provides reimbursement to government entities for the damages incurred and costs of the response and recovery process. Like all disaster assistance avenues, there is a damage assessment and thresholds that must be met at all levels of government as prescribed by law.

Information on FEMA’s public assistance can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public

Individual Assistance:

Individual Assistance is a disaster recovery avenue that provides direct financial assistance to residents and property owners whose primary residences are damaged or destroyed. This type of disaster assistance may be used for housing costs, repairs to your home, or other needs assistance. If the Commonwealth receives an Individual Assistance Presidential declaration, information will be published explaining how individuals can apply for assistance.

Information on FEMA’s individual assistance can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual