As our fellow North Carolinians in Appalachia continue to suffer catastrophic damage to their livelihoods and hometowns in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we want to highlight the multiple ways our community can take action to support our neighbors in Western North Carolina.

As we look to our brothers and sisters in need in the western part of our great state, we at Shipman & Wright are here to answer your questions and assist you with your insurance and FEMA claims. We may not have all the answers to your questions, but we’re determined to try to get them to help.
The storm has tragically led to at least 47 deaths in Buncombe, Henderson, and Macon counties, with hundreds of people still unaccounted for, according to local officials. More than 300 roads have been closed since Friday, local water systems have been damaged, and multiple towns and homes have been devastated by the prolonged rainfall and flooding.

State officials have encouraged donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to support recovery efforts.

Please make donations at the Fund’s website: nc.gov/donate. Or mail directly to:

  • NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312
  • NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511

United Way of North Carolina will be the fiscal agent for the fund, which will provide grants and reimbursement to nonprofits working in the impacted communities. Eligible nonprofits can seek up to $10,000 from the NC Disaster Relief Fund for efforts to meet immediate storm recovery needs. If you would like more details, please click here.

“Donations made to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims such as food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies,” according to the governor’s office. “All of the donations made will go to disaster relief.”

Additionally, the American Red Cross is accepting donations online. To support their efforts: click here. The North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster has published a list of disaster relief organizations active in NC that have been vetted: it can be found at this link.

Please reach out to us today if Shipman & Wright can help you. And your family.