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Hurricane Florence Relief and Recovery Resources

GENERAL STORM INFORMATION

North Carolina Department of Public Safety: Hurricane Florence Updates
Click here

NC Road Conditions
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Statewide Information Call Line
Dial 2-1-1 for general information about shelters, food assistance and storm recovery help


RECOVERY INFORMATION, GUIDES & HELPLINES

For businesses:

U.S. Chamber Foundation: Small Business Recovery Guide
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has put together a step-by-step small business recovery guide, which includes numerous links and suggestions for a variety of scenarios. Read more.

U.S. Chamber Foundation Disaster Help Desk
The Disaster Help Desk is a fast and reliable tool for small businesses and communities impacted by disasters. The mission of the Help Desk is to help businesses mitigate disaster interruption and, after disasters, to enhance community economic recovery. Call 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP (1-888-692-4943).

NC Small Business and Technology Development Center: Business Recovery Guide
North Carolina’s leading resources for small and midsize businesses are collaborating with federal partners to provide recovery assistance to NC businesses impacted by Hurricane Florence. Assistance includes help with developing recovery strategies as well as access to capital needed to support immediate cleanup costs and longer-term recovery from physical damage and economic losses. Read more

ACCE’s Urgent Response Task Force Available for Advice
For the list of the ACCE’s Urgent Response Task Force members and their contact information, click here.

SBA’s Business Recovery Centers Open
For locations and hours, click here.

NC Department of Agriculture: Disaster Information
Farmers can find recovery resources and information through this website. You may also call their toll-free hotline for agricultural emergencies: 1-866-645-9403. Read more

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool
The Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool uses your answers to five questions to identify USDA disaster assistance programs that might meet your business needs. Local program availability and individual eligibility will be determined by the USDA servicing office. For more information about disaster programs in your area, contact your local USDA service center. Read more

The National Association of Manufacturers: Disaster Relief Response
Manufacturers can play an important role in helping Americans recover from natural disasters by donating goods or volunteering their services. Volunteer organizations encourage businesses and individuals who want to support communities recovering from disasters to provide financial contributions for an immediate way to help provide relief. Read more

For individuals:

Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Employees and certain employers who became unemployed because of Hurricane Florence may receive special unemployment benefits. Eight counties in North Carolina have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) due to the effects of Hurricane Florence.  They are as follows: Beaufort County, Brunswick County, Carteret County, Craven County, New Hanover County, Onslow County, Pamlico County, and Pender County. Additional counties may be added to the DUA availability designation at a later date. Individuals from the above-named counties who are affected by the disaster and are unable to continue working must file an application for benefits within 30 days from September 17 – or, by October 17, 2018. Read more

DisasterAssistance.gov
This tool helps you find disaster assistance that meets your personal needs and includes information on more than 70 forms of assistance from 17 federal agencies. Read more

FEMA Flood Insurance Claims
This fact sheet outlines what you need to know as you go through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) claims process. Read more

The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors: Guide to Avoiding Illegitimate Contractor Scams
In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, thousands of North Carolinians with damaged homes, businesses and other property will be prime targets for scam artists. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) is advising citizens to exercise extreme caution to avoid becoming further victimized by scam artists posing as legitimate contractors. The NCLBGC reminds citizens that licensed general contractors have passed an examination and have met the financial requirements for being a licensed general contractor in the State of North Carolina. Read more

SNAP Participant Waivers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a waiver that will allow participants in the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in North Carolina to buy hot foods with their benefits through October 31, 2018. Read more


LOANS & GRANTS

Loans:

Thread Capital: Hurricane Florence Rapid Recovery Loans
Thread Capital’s Hurricane Florence Rapid Recovery Loan supports North Carolina small businesses and family farms as they recover from the effects of Hurricane Florence. This rapid recovery loan helps small businesses close the gap between when the disaster strikes and when federal loans, insurance payouts, and other disaster relief funds are approved. This is NOT a grant program. Bridge loans are not designed to be a primary source of assistance for small businesses. As such, eligibility for funding is contingent on the pursuit of other funding sources, including SBA Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Repayment is expected upon receipt of funding from more permanent sources. Read more

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers affordable financial help to homeowners and renters in declared disaster areas. You don’t need to own a business. Help is available in the form of low-interest, long-term loans for losses not fully covered by insurance or other means. Read more

Grants:

FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program
Public Assistance (PA) is FEMA’s largest grant program providing funds to assist communities responding to and recovering from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President. The program provides emergency assistance to save lives and protect property, and assists with permanently restoring community infrastructure affected by a federally declared incident. Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized tribal governments (including Alaska Native villages and organizations so long as they are not privately owned), U.S. territories, local governments, and certain private non-profit (PNP) organizations. PNPs must have “an effective ruling letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, granting tax exemption under sections 501(c), (d), or (e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Read more


HOUSING & WORKSPACES

Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Seeks Long-Term Housing
The New Hanover County Emergency Management Office is in need of long-term housing for displaced residents and emergency crews due to Hurricane Florence. The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce is helping compile a list of available properties that could be rented long term. If you have a rental property that could accommodate displaced residents and emergency crews, please contact Lexie Alston at alston@wilmingtonchamber.org or (910) 762-2611 ext. 200.

Raleigh Chamber Opens Office Space for Local Chambers
If you are in Raleigh and unable to return to your offices, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce is offering temporary workspaces to Chamber executives and their staff. For assistance, please contact Janet Carr.


DONATIONS & GIVING

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is currently accepting contributions for Hurricane Florence damage. Contributions will help with immediate unmet needs of Hurricane Florence victims. Donate here

American Red Cross
Financial donations may be made here, and in-kind contributions can be made here.

Columbus Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Small Business Recovery Fund
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce & Tourism has created the Small Business Recovery Fund and is accepting contributions to support the small business owners of their community. Donations can be mailed to Whiteville Improvement Association, Small Business Recovery Fund, 601 S Madison Street, Whiteville, N.C. 28472.

SBP Florence Recovery Fund
SBP is a national disaster resilience and recovery nonprofit whose mission is to shrink the time between disaster and recovery. Founded after Hurricane Katrina, SBP’s team understands that, after disaster, citizens are at risk of reaching their breaking point if there is no predictable path to recovery. Each of SBP’s interventions are designed to fortify people against reaching their breaking point by providing a prompt, efficient and predictable path forward. Donate here

Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is 501(c)3 nonprofit that utilizes the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Founded in 2010, Team Rubicon has deployed across the United States and around the world to provide immediate relief to those impacted by disasters and humanitarian crises. Donate here

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
National VOAD, an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster. List of national partners for financial donations can be found here

Did we miss a resource or organization you would like us to add? Please contact communications@ncchamber.com