10/04/2024
Important Updates from the County 10/3/2024:
Schools have been closed until further notice. Potential reopening in two weeks. To be updated.
Food Distribution:
Food and water supplies are being routed to area community centers to move them closer to each community. Residents can pick up there. Community groups can pick up pallets of water and ready to eat meals at the fairgrounds.
Cooperative extension – 258 Carolina Ln. – is doing drive-thru food distribution at this site from 10am-6pm.
Food and water donations can be taken to Cooperative Extension for distribution throughout the county only between the hours of 8am and 6pm.
There will be a food truck at the county admin building on Sunday providing hot meals from 11am until they are out.
Groceries:
• Walmart in Weaverville (getting stocked every two weeks)
• Publix in Weaverville (getting stocked every few days)
• Ingles (Marshall) – cash only – limited stock available – Gas is open
• Ingles (Mars Hill) – can use debit if it works - Limited stock available – Gas is open
• Holler Harm Reduction 2-6 PM at 1685 NC-213 in Marshall
Senior Meal Sites:
The following meal sites will be open on Friday, 10/4 – Marshall, Shelton Laurel (open M-F 8-8, possible Sat), Center Community, Upper Laurel, Spring Creek, Hot Springs, Beech Glen
Water:
Bottled water and bulk water (if you bring your own food container) at the Mars Hill Fire Dept. on Main St.
Water is available at all volunteer fire departments, community centers, and at Cooperative Extension. Pallets of water can be picked up at the fairgrounds by community organizations.
Shelter:
If you need shelter, the Madison Early College (5734 US 25-70 Hwy., Marshall) is the site for most of the county. Showers are open there. They are not a food distribution site.
Clothing and Household Items (Non-food):
Clothing donations are not needed at this time. There is a lot available.
Residents who have been displaced or have lost their household goods are welcome to select al that they need from the Madison High School cafeteria, 9am-6pm.
Trash:
Mars Hill Trash collection has resumed. County trash sites are open. Hot Springs is taking household waste only.
Medical:
• There is an oxygen filing station at the Early College. Anyone in WNC is welcome to come for a refill. Staff is on hand to help lift canisters from vehicles as needed. If you need a refill delivered, please call 828-649-1955.
• All branches of the Hot Springs Health Program are open during regular hours.
• The Health Department is open, including WIC services, during regular hours. Tetanus shots are available at the Health Department. Formula is available at the high school cafeteria and cooperative extension.
• Medical facility at Ebbs Chapel and beside Little Creek Café are open for medical assessment and minor laceration care
Prescriptions:
• The Hot Springs Health Program can help to fill existing prescriptions. You do not need to be a patient to be seen by them.
• Marshall Pharmacy & Gifts is open at 9am and can help with over the counter and prescription medicines. They can help with emergency and non-emergency prescriptions no matter where they were originally filled.
• Prescription Pad in Weaverville is available to support through their drive-through.
Mental Health:
Madison County Mental Health Support Line – 828-206-3290 – available 10am-7pm, 7 days a week, beginning 10/2 – not a crisis line – you will be connected to a trained counselor
Mental Health Emergency – Mobile Crisis – 888-573-1006
Welfare Checks:
• County is doing wellness checks on all residents using the volunteer fire departments.
• Resident Welfare checks, contact Madison County Emergency Operations Center at 828-649-1955 or email [email protected]
• Residents trying to connect with family members may call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state) to report missing loved ones.
Disaster Help:
Legal Aid of North Carolina is able to help residents with starting the process with FEMA benefits, applying for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, and requesting Crisis Cleanup Assistance. For more information, visit https://legalaidnc.org/tropical-storm-helene-disaster-assistance
FEMA:
Information for Homeowners and Rental Housing Owners (updated):
It is acceptable to start the cleanup process, but please make sure you do the following to assist your FEMA eligibility:
• Take numerous photos of everything damaged before cleanup
• If you dispose of any items, you MUST maintain a list of everything that is disposed with an estimated value and where it was disposed of.
• Create an inventory of what was lost with estimated date of purchase and amounted paid
North Carolina has officially received a Major Disaster Declaration, making individuals in Madison County eligible for Individual Assistance through the FEMA. Individual Assistance provides financial aid and services to eligible individuals and households that have been affected by a disaster to assist with the recovery process. Individuals can officially begin applying for Individual Assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST.
Businesses and residents (updated):
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) (https://www.sba.gov/) are available to businesses and residents in North Carolina following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for Tropical Storm Helene that began on Sept. 25.
Farmers:
• For losses - Charles Zink of FSA will be in his office (296 Old Marshall Hwy, Marshall), open 8-10am, for farmers who have sustained loss of crop or livestock or who have had damage to their land. Phones are not working yet. You can email Charles at [email protected]. He will have a box at his office to drop off information if you miss him. FSA applications will open 10/15/24
• There is a load of feed and hay at the fairgrounds on Friday available for pickup. Hoping to get meds as well.
Mail Service:
Mars Hill mail service has resumed. Weaverville is coordinating Marshall street mail deliveries. Residents with PO Boxes can pick up at the Weaverville office using usual PO Box number. Amazon packages will not be delivered for about a week. Working on getting a Hot Springs portable post office.
