RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

RALEIGH, N.C. – Thousands of trees damaged by Tropical Storm Helene will be repurposed under a North Carolina project developed through Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC), a team of federal, state and local government, non-profits and faith-based organizations. More than 320,000 pounds of wood has already been removed.

“This marks the transition from response to long-term recovery,” said Thomas J. McCool, federal coordinating officer for North Carolina’s disaster operation. “The IRC’s innovative collaboration is tailored specifically to western North Carolina and leverages the unique skills, expertise and tools of every organization involved.” 

Stages of the project include clearing debris and fallen trees from the North Carolina Arboretum south of Asheville. The arboretum has walking trails, gardens and an educational center that serve 600,000 visitors per year. Helene knocked down more than 5,000 trees across trails and roads in the 434-acre site in the Pisgah National Forest, making the park nonoperational.

The project is already sending logs to a staging area to be sorted based on potential use. The wood will then be distributed to residents and communities for firewood, furniture material, mulch and more. 

The IRC was established by the federal disaster recovery coordinator to meet challenges presented by Helene and ensure interagency coordination for disaster recovery in North Carolina. With debris removal underway at the arboretum, IRC partners have removed 65 truckloads of timber to date, allowing

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RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

ATLANTA – Residents of the 63 Georgia counties affected by Tropical Storm Debby, damage Aug. 4—20, 2024, or Hurricane Helene who were provided Displacement Assistance because they couldn’t return to their home after the storms may be eligible for Rental Assistance.

Displacement Assistance is money you can use to stay in a hotel or motel, stay with family and friends, or for any other available housing options. Initial assistance is for 14 days. Contact FEMA to request Rental Assistance if you still have a housing need after 14 days. 

You can request Rental Assistance by:

Calling FEMA’s Helpline at 1-800-621-3362Visit a disaster recovery centerMailing to FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/helene/georgia and fema.gov/disaster/4821. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on X, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel. Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on X @FEMA_Deanne.  

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