Helene Resources

 Individuals in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance (IA). Learn more about FEMA's IA program, here.

The deadline for survivors to apply for Individual Assistance is Monday, Dec. 2.

Survivors can apply:

 

General Health Information

 

Prescriptions

  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for Tennessee to aid uninsured residents in replacing prescription medicines or certain medical equipment lost or damaged due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Learn more about EPAP.

 

Boil Water Advisory Health Concerns

Following a disaster or emergency event, it is common for individuals and families, as well as disaster responders, to experience distress and anxiety related to safety, health, well-being and recovery. 

Call or Text 988

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has a dedicated line to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn more about Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention.

Any individual whose job is impacted by a major disaster should apply for benefits through Tennessee’s unemployment program. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will first determine if a displaced worker is eligible for state unemployment, and if they are, they will receive benefits from the state program.

To learn more about Disaster Unemployment Assistance, visit the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Website. 

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has created a dedicated recovery webpage to consolidate information, guidance, maps, and applications to support recovery and response from Hurricane Helene related to environmental programs. 

TDEC issued a temporary water contact advisory on October 2 telling the public to avoid all contact with waterbodies affected by the extreme flooding in East Tennessee. This applies to all surface waters in the Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Doe, and Watauga River watersheds as well as any other waters affected by the flooding.  Read the full advisory here.

For the most up to date information on water conservation orders, boil water advisories, and other water impacts, visit TDEC's webpage.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) announced today that it has received federal approval to issue replacement benefits for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers located in the following counties:

  • Carter
  • Clay
  • Grainger
  • Hancock
  • Hawkins
  • Johnson
  • Unicoi
  • Washington

For more information about TDHS SNAP Replacement, visit their website.

Driver Services Division is issuing duplicate identification licenses and driver licenses. All three locations are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. 

Elizabethton Driver Services Center 
1741 HWY 19 E Bypass 
Elizabethton, TN 37643 

Newport Grammar School 
301 College Street 
Newport, TN 37821 

Unicoi Police Department 
3600 Unicoi Drive 
Unicoi, TN 37692 

Tennessee Department of Revenue announced four tax relief measures for Tennessee businesses and individuals affected by Hurricane Helene.

To learn more about these efforts, read Gov. Bill Lee's full release.

Many roads and bridges in Upper East Tennessee have been compromised due to recent severe weather. All roads in Upper East should be considered potentially hazardous, and motorists should avoid traveling in these areas.

Tennessee Department of Transportation has created a Helene webpage with more information on impacted roadways.

If you need help cleaning up damage from Hurricane Helene, call (844) 965-1386 to ask for help. You will be connected with organizations, community groups, and faith-based organizations who may be able to help.

Services are no cost to survivors, but service is not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need. 

This hotline will remain open until November 8, 2024.

Crisis Cleanup

If you are cleaning up debris, these guidelines are a good place to start to ensure your debris is properly sorted to be able to be picked up. Be sure to check with your county first as they may have their own guidelines or schedules in place.

Debris Guidelines