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)

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

Debris Removal Contracts and Price Amendments (PDF)

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

Relief for Farms

The USDA has disaster assistance available for Hurricane Helene recovery.

USDA Information for Farmers: Download USDA Recovery Information (PDF)

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, USDA staff is available to assist when you are ready.  USDA is working diligently to implement program flexibilities and waivers, to help streamline your recovery process. We are regularly reviewing our programs so please check in periodically with your local USDA office for updates.

Documenting Loss

We encourage you to document damages and losses your operation has sustained as best you can, including gathering farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses. Livestock producers are advised to document livestock numbers by taking time and date-stamped video or pictures of injury or loss, to the extent possible. Please know that we recognize these are extremely extenuating and stressful circumstances and there may be instances where documentation is lost, destroyed or unattainable. Regardless, please contact us and we will do whatever we can to help you access the assistance you need.

Reporting Loss

Once you are able to safely evaluate the impact on your operation, be sure to contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office or your crop insurance agent to report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses. For producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance, the USDA Risk Management Agency has authorized Approved Insurance Providers to provide flexibility on reporting requirements for those who are unable to report losses due the disaster.

Available Assistance

Producers in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation may be eligible for low interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses.
Additionally, FSA offers several loan servicing options available for borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan programs debt to the agency because of reasons beyond their control.

Meanwhile, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. Assistance may also be available for emergency animal mortality disposal from natural disasters and other causes.

Online Resources and Tools

To learn more about programs available to producers here are some resources on  farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options.  Additionally, FarmRaise offers an FSA educational hub with livestock disaster assistance decision tools as well as farm loan resource videos.

Disaster Recovery Programs: Flexibilities and Waivers

USDA has issued program delivery flexibilities and waivers.  We know this is a lot of information, but we want you to know what’s available as quickly as possible. As the recovery process progresses, there may be more flexibilities and waivers needed. Updated information will be timely shared as details unfold.

The information below describes some of the current program flexibilities and waivers, as of Oct. 3, 2024, available for producers impacted by Hurricane Helene. To learn about benefits available through our recovery programs including those listed below, please view the  Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet.

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP):

• Extended ECP and EFRP signup that begins Oct. 15, 2024, and runs through June 1, 2025, in states affected by Hurricane Helene.
• Waiver of onsite inspection requirement for non-engineering practices for ECP and EFRP.
• Executed Emergency Response (ER-850) authorization of emergency National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) circumstances to expedite FSA approval of practices involving surface debris removal, fence restoration, and non-ground disturbing activities.

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP):

• Guidance to FSA County Committees and local staff to exercise maximum flexibility in determining acceptable loss documentation and to ensure LIP applications are acted on timely.

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP):

• Assistance to help cover above normal costs to transport livestock to feed and/or transport feed/forage to livestock in hurricane-impacted states.
• Assistance to help cover above normal costs to haul water to livestock in hurricane-impacted states.

Tree Assistance Program (TAP):

• Extension of TAP assistance to trees/bushes/vines that have not died but are no longer capable of production (not economically viable).

Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP):

• Waiver of 72-hour notification requirement on hand harvested crops.
• Extended deadline to file a Notice of Loss with FSA.
• Flexibility for FSA staff to perform loss adjustment activities and/or waive field inspections in cases where the cause of loss can be verified through other means.

Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL):

• Additional time for producers to deliver commodities to a buyer to repay MALs with sale proceeds.
• Postponement of MAL foreclosure letters applicable to losses or damages due to hurricanes for up to 90 calendar days.

Contact USDA

When you’re ready, we’re ready.  To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.

USDA has resources available through the FSA call center at 877-508-8364, the USDA hotline at 833-ONE-USDA (663-8732), or producers can access program information online at farmers.gov.

Donations

Donations of physical items are no longer being accepted. As always, please consider donating cash instead. Cash donations allow non-government organizations and disaster survivors to purchase exactly what they need for recovery. Please consider supporting the United Way of Southwest Virginia 2024 Southwest Virginia Disaster Fund to directly support those impacted by the September 2024 flood. https://www.unitedwayswva.org/