Helene recovery: How to navigate everything from FEMA and flood cleanup to scams and evictions

Before you begin

• Turn off your electricity and gas.
• Have a first aid kit handy.
• Make sure your tetanus shot is up to date (your state or county health department may offer free tetanus vaccines if you need one; it’s best to call them to find out).
• Check the structural integrity of the building before entering.
• Wear protective clothing: long sleeves and pants, eye goggles, rubber or plastic gloves, waterproof boots or shoes, a respirator or N95 mask, and a Tyvek suit if you can find one. Check with your local distribution sites for tools, personal protective equipment, and cleaning materials. (Check out this list for Asheville and western North Carolina; visit the Northeast Tennessee disaster relief center at Bristol Motor Speedway; and here’s a list of other organizations in eastern Tennessee/southwest Virginia.)

Take photos and videos

Whether you have flood insurance and are filing a claim, or you do not have flood insurance and you’re applying for federal assistance via the Federal Emergency Management Agency, you’ll need a lot of evidence to prove the damage floodwaters caused your home. Watch this short video from FEMA to learn more.

Here are key things about documenting damage:     

• Gather any photos of your house or apartment from before the flood so that you can more easily prove your lost property value. 
• Take photos of the outside and inside of your home or apartment, including damaged personal property, and label them by room before you remove anything. 
• If you have insurance, take photos of the make, model, and serial number for appliances. Provide receipts to your adjuster to document damaged property for your flood claim.

Cleaning your home

After documenting damage, the next step is to begin the cleanup process. Here is a booklet from the Environmental Protection Agency that is a helpful visual resource on cleaning your house. 

Mucking and guttingMucking involves removing mud, silt, muck, and other sediment from your home. Gutting means moving damaged construction materials, like drywall, insulation, cabinets, floorboards, and paneling, out of your home. (Here’s a visual guide from Galveston County, Texas emergency management on this process.)

Some key things to keep in mind (Virginia’s Department of Health has more tips): 

• Take wet items outside to dry.
• Open doors and windows to air out your home, and use fans if possible.
• Remove all mold you see and try to dry as much as possible.
• Throw away anything wet that can’t be cleaned and dried within two days. Throw away perishable food items, clothing, cushions, and pillows. It can be difficult to throw away items in a home, particularly those with sentimental value — but things soaked in floodwater or sewage are unhealthy.
• Keep samples of carpet, upholstery, and wallpaper if you plan on filing an insurance claim. 

Mold
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has a fact sheet on mold risks — people with breathing problems like asthma or a weakened immune system should stay away — and how to clean it up. The key to mold is moisture control. You may not be able to see all of the mold developing in your home after flooding. According to FEMA: “If your home has mold, everything that has been contaminated must be cleaned and dried. Items that cannot be properly cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours must be discarded, including building materials and personal property.”

You will likely see a lot of bleach at distribution sites to be used for cleanup. According to the EPA, bleach is not recommended as a routine practice for cleaning up mold. You can use bleach on hard, nonporous surfaces, but do not use it on porous surfaces like wood to kill mold — make sure those dry completely before deciding whether to keep them. If using bleach, ventilate the area and never mix it with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia, because it could produce toxic fumes. 

DebrisYour county/state will set up temporary disaster debris storage areas to manage the sheer amount of debris. Here is some information on mobile home debris, open burning, and other issues in North Carolina.

Where to find help with cleanup
After a disaster, charities and nonprofits can help with house inspections, mucking and gutting, as well as tree and debris removal. Contact Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386 to get connected with community groups and faith-based organizations. These services are free but not guaranteed due to overwhelming demand.

In Tennessee, the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center hotline can help with reporting damages, requesting assistance, getting resources you need, and more. The Northeast Regional Health Office in Tennessee also has a Citizen Information Hotline to provide information related to flood safety. Call 423-979-4689 to ask questions. 

How to apply for FEMA aid

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is the federal government’s main disaster response agency. It provides assistance to states and local governments during large events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. FEMA is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

FEMA has two primary roles after a federally declared disaster: 

1. Contributing to community rebuilding costs: The agency helps states and local governments pay for the cost of removing debris and rebuilding public infrastructure. (Read more about FEMA’s responsibilities and programs here.)
2. Individual financial assistance: FEMA gives outfinancial assistanceto individual people who have lost their homes and belongings. This assistance can take several forms: FEMA gives out pre-loaded debit cards to help people buy food and fuel in the first days after a disaster, and may also provide cash payments for home repairs. The agency also provides up to 18 months of housing assistance for people who lose their homes in a disaster, and sometimes houses disaster survivors in its own manufactured housing units or “FEMA trailers.” FEMA sometimes covers funeral and grieving expenses as well as medical and dental treatment.

President Joe Biden approved major disaster declarations in six states for Helene, allowing people to apply for individual assistance. In North Carolina, 27 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are eligible. In Virginia, nine counties: Montgomery, Pulaski, Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Montgomery and Wythe counties and the city of Galax. In Tennessee, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties. In Georgia, more than 50 counties are eligible, and in South Carolina, 21 counties. In Florida, more than 30 counties are eligible for assistance from Helene damage.

If you are a U.S. citizen, or meet certain qualifications as a non-citizen, and live in a federal disaster declaration area, you are eligible. You can find more information on applying in North Carolina via BPR. FEMA offers survivors in counties eligible for individual assistance:

• A one-time grant of $750 for emergency needs and essential items like food, baby items, and medication 
• Temporary housing assistance equivalent to 14 nights’ stay in a hotel in your area 
• Up to 18 months of rental assistance
• Payments for lost property that isn’t covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance
• Other forms of assistance, depending on your needs and losses

Some other important things to know:

• Payments you receive through FEMA are grants, not loans. You do not have to pay them back. 
• FEMA will require you to create an account on the secure website Login.gov. Use this account to submit your aid application. 
• You can track the status of your aid application and receive notifications if FEMA needs more documents from you. 
• If FEMA denies your application for aid, you can appeal, but the process is lengthy. 
• You can apply for individual assistance for multiple storms, but you must apply only once for each disaster. 

Documentation
Before you apply, gather your paperwork.You will need documents to verify everything from your identity to proof of residency and living expenses as part of this process. FEMA has a list of documents you can submit to prove home ownership (like mortgage statements, property tax bills, deed or title) or proof of residency if you’re a renter or don’t own your home (lease or housing agreement, bank or credit card statement, motor vehicle registration form, court documents, letters from social service agencies, schools, pay stub, rental receipts or credit card statements, utility bills). These documents should be dated within a year (so, if you are applying for aid in 2024, your documents should be dated or issued sometime in 2023 or 2024). According to the agency, your driver’s license, state-issued identification card, or voter registration card must have been dated before the disaster happened and not have expired.

Other documents you may be required to submit:

• Hotel receipts, if you were forced to evacuate.
• Receipts, serial numbers, and appraisals for valuable items, if you lose things like standard household appliances, furnishing, and accessibility equipment. This may help you with both insurance claims and FEMA aid. 
• If you are on a visa, green card, or other form of legal residency, make sure to have copies of all your immigration paperwork. 

The agency has some advice on how to replace lost documents here; you should apply even if you don’t have all the necessary paperwork.

InspectionAfter you apply for assistance, FEMA must verify the damage through an onsite or remote inspection. FEMA staff and inspectors may call from an unknown or restricted phone number and make several attempts to discuss your disaster-caused damage — so be on the lookout for that. You’ll have to be present for the inspection, or you may be able to meet somewhere else if your home is inaccessible. You don’t have to wait for this inspection to begin cleaning or removing items — just make sure you take photos before you do.

Help with FEMA applications

There are some lawyers and legal organizations offering free help with applications. Here are a few application pointers, which can be copied and pasted as a Facebook post if needed. These tips come from Dr. Laura Olson, an associate professor at the Department of Emergency Management & Public Administration at Jacksonville State University and a member of Disaster Justice Network.

North Carolina

Legal Aid of North Carolina: According to Blue Ridge Public Radio, the nonprofit law firm will deploy in disaster-stricken areas to help with FEMA aid applications, legal support, long-term housing, fraud cases, and more. The organization also operates a Legal Aid hotline: 866-219-5262.

Information for undocumented immigrants

FEMA states thatregardless of citizenship or immigration status, if you are affected by a disaster, you may be eligible for crisis counseling, disaster legal services, disaster case management, medical care, shelter, food, and water.

Only U.S. citizens and non-citizens who meet specific requirements are eligible for individual assistance. However, undocumented immigrants can still benefit. Enlace Latino NC has more information here: “Whether the parent or guardian of a minor who is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen, you may apply for assistance on behalf of the minor as long as you live in the same household. The parent or legal guardian must apply as a co-applicant, and the child must be under 18 at the time of the disaster. Parents will need to provide the child’s Social Security number… Undocumented individuals who apply for assistance on behalf of their minor child or other persons in their household should not share any information or sign any documents related to their own immigration status. FEMA will not require information on immigration status if the individual does not apply for benefits on his or her own behalf.”

The Department of Homeland Security (which oversees FEMA) released a statement in September saying that during emergency events, “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remind the public that sites that provide emergency response and relief are considered protected areas. To the fullest extent possible, ICE and CBP do not conduct immigration enforcement activities at protected areas such as along evacuation routes, sites used for sheltering or the distribution of emergency supplies, food or water, or registration sites for disaster-related assistance or the reunification of families and loved ones.” Enlace Latino NC reported that while ICE and Border Patrol trucks may be in the area, officials say they are there to provide assistance.

However, going to a shelter or government-run site can be intimidating. Here are some tips compiled by immigrant and farmworker advocacy organizations:

• Use the buddy system: There is safety in numbers. Go with multiple people to feel more confident in getting the help you need.
• Find an English speaker: Someone who speaks English well may be able to help you get services if you are worried about experiencing language barriers. 
• Request language interpretation: When talking to police, firefighters, or hospital workers, you have a legal right to an interpreter. Other agencies and institutions may have access to interpreters and translators as well.When talking to police, firefighters, or hospital workers, you have a legal right to an interpreter. Other agencies and institutions may have access to interpreters and translators as well.
• Contact an advocacy organization: Farmworker and immigrant advocacy organizations may be able to help you get the supplies and food you need at a safe space.
• Talk to your faith community: Speak with your local pastor, members of your place of worship, or someone else you trust about your options.

Federal food programs

Depending on your legal status, total household income, and if your household has children under 5 years old or a pregnant or breastfeeding mother, you could be eligible for government benefits that include financial assistance for food. 

Some important things to consider if you are not a U.S. citizen: 

• If you are an H-2A worker, you can qualify for these federal food benefits through an application process, but you typically have to wait five years after you secure qualified immigrant status.
• Do you have a U.S.-born child? They can qualify for these benefits, though it may not be enough to feed the entire family. 

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), also known as disaster food stamps, helps you pay for food if you live in a county with a federal disaster declaration. D-SNAP provides funds on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to pay for food. Even if you do not normally receive or qualify for food assistance through SNAP benefits, you may qualify (you must live in a county that has a federal disaster declaration). (Info for: North Carolina; Tennessee; Virginia; Florida; Georgia; South Carolina). This is usually at least a month of the maximum SNAP benefit for low-income households. This is not immediate relief, as it could take time to receive the benefits.

SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food assistance to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget for foods to prepare at home. In the event of a disaster, you may be able to buy hot or pre-made food using SNAP dollars. (Info for: North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia)

WIC: The Women, Infants, and Children program offers food assistance, information, and healthcare referrals to low-income families with children under age 5 or those expecting a new child. You can be eligible for WIC with any immigration status. To apply for WIC, you will need to call either your local WIC office number or the toll-free number: 1-800-342-3556. 

Disaster-related unemployment 

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program provides temporary benefits to people who, as a result of a major disaster, lost or had their employment or self-employment interrupted. You are eligible for this assistance if you live in a city, county, or state where a federal disaster declaration has been made, your job is lost or interrupted as a result of a presidentially declared disaster, and you aren’t eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. You must file a claim with your state insurance agency; if you have evacuated to another state, you can still apply. (Here is application information for North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina) 

H-2A worker assistance
If you are an agricultural worker on a temporary visa and you lose a job when a flood or storm hits, your employer must give you up to 75 percent of your lost wages. This is a federal law. If you are an H-2A worker and your employer does not provide these lost wages, you can file a complaint with the Department of Labor. (Here are instructions in English and Español on how to do that.) Some people have reported retaliation for making a complaint about working conditions. You can tell the Department of Labor if you think this has happened to you. 

Evictions and tenants’ rights

According to research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, a severe natural disaster nearly doubles the eviction rate in an affected county in the two years after the event. It is important to know your rights, which vary by state and sometimes county, as a tenant. 

North Carolina – From Blue Ridge Public Radio: “In North Carolina, evictions can only happen through the court system. And if your county court is closed, you can’t get evicted. … The best thing to do is get requests for repairs in writing, whether via text, email, or letter. From that point, it becomes the landlord’s responsibility to take care of the issue, even if current circumstances may make the process longer.”

If you have questions or suspect a landlord may be taking illegal actions, email online@pisgahlegal.org or call 828-253-0406 to reach Pisgah Legal Services, which provides free legal advice, pro bono lawyers, and community legal services for underserved populations in western North Carolina. 

Here are other resources:

• Tenants’ rights for evictions and repairs, from Legal Aid of North Carolina
• Rights of Tenants After a Natural Disaster, from the North Carolina Justice Center
• Landlord and tenant issues after disasters, from the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center 

Virginia – Know your rights, via Virginia Legal Aid

Tennessee– Rights and responsibilities of renters, via Tennessee Department of Health

Georgia – What to know about evictions, via Legal Aid of Georgia
A video on eviction laws, via Atlanta Legal Aid Society 

Florida – Rental property problems after a disaster, via Community Legal Services

South Carolina – A step-by-step guide to the eviction process, via South Carolina Legal Services

How to detect scams, fraud and misinformation

During and after a disaster, it’s easy for information to get misconstrued or rumors to gain traction. Many people find information via social media. But it’s important to make sure what you’re reading is accurate. Here’s where to find the facts on extreme weather and the most reliable places to check for emergency alerts and updates.

Where to find accurate information

• Your local emergency manager: Your city or county will have an emergency management department, which is part of the local government. In larger cities, it’s often a separate agency; in smaller communities, fire chiefs or sheriff’s offices may manage emergency response and alerts. Emergency managers are responsible for communicating with the public about disasters, managing rescue and response efforts, and coordinating between different agencies. They usually have an SMS-based emergency alert system, so sign up for those. (Note: Some cities have multiple languages available, but most emergency alerts are only in English.) Many emergency management agencies are active on Facebook, so check there for updates as well. 
• Local news: The local television news and social media accounts from verified news sources will have live updates during and after a storm. Follow your local newspaper, public radio station, and television station on Facebook or other social media, and check their websites regularly for updates. 
• Trusted organizations: Communicate with organizations you trust, like your house of worship, local nonprofits, verified mutual aid groups, and other local institutions. MDC, a nonprofit in North Carolina that designs programs to advance equity in the South, has a frequently updated list with official information, links, and other resources. 
• Federal agencies on the ground: FEMA released a list of rumors that are circulating and why they’re inaccurate. For instance, the agency is not confiscating donation items; they cannot take your land. Read more about how to fact check from Grist.  

Scams and fraud
After disasters, there are often scammers trying to get personal information and money from those wanting to apply for FEMA aid. Here’s how to avoid and report them: 

• Ask for identification. FEMA staff and housing inspectors carry official IDs. A FEMA shirt or jacket is not proof of identification.
• FEMA does not certify contractors, but the agency does recommend using local contractors you trust. Here are some tips via the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
• If you have knowledge of fraud, waste, or abuse, you can report tips to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov.
• You can contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud if you suspect fraud. Before calling, gather as many details as possible, including about how and where it occurred.