Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Resources

Published: Oct 1, 2024
By: Jennifer Butler; Hubert Klein; Evan Gluck
Topics: Disaster Recovery
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We have compiled resources and disaster recovery insights in this guide to help your organization and community address immediate needs and potentially reduce some of the time it takes to initiate your response. These resources are certainly not exhaustive, but we know all too well that you might struggle to decide which steps to take first in the early stages of responding to disasters.

If you have any questions about the information in this guide or need any assistance, please contact us below. We’re committed to supporting your recovery phase.

Key Steps to Consider After a Disaster

Notify your insurance carrier of your pending claim immediately. Take photos of everything before you begin cleanup activities and add reference points or measurements for context.
Check your eligibility for assistance. There are a number of programs designed to help after disasters including the Small Business Administration and FEMA’s Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. Check the program for your eligibility.
Document everything. For both insurance claims and FEMA assistance, documentation is critical. Take photos, keep daily logs of activities, meetings, and decisions, pull records supporting the organization’s and structures’ prior state, and advise constituents to keep receipts for disaster-related purchases and repairs.
Beware of scams and potential hacking. After a disaster, scammers often attempt to take advantage of both confusion and good intentions. Assess any hurricane-related emails, hyperlinks, social media pleas, and solicitations carefully and look for any potential red flags before engaging.
Identify available help. When you hire a third party to help with your recovery, make sure the agreement is in writing and includes the specific services, the price you will pay, and any other details that will support the expense if you’re eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Keep any quotes you receive from vendors. If you anticipate FEMA reimbursement, the contracts must contain required federal clauses.

State and Federal Resources

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, affected communities are facing challenging times. Below, we curated important resources at the federal, state, and tribal levels to help you understand the support available in your area.

Federal Links

Hurricane Helene | FEMA.gov: Support for FEMA Public Assistance reimbursement program.
SBA Disaster Loans: Loan assistance for businesses.
Disaster Assistance Portal: Comprehensive federal assistance information.
HUD Disaster Resources: Information and immediate assistance for individuals, families, housing providers, and industry partners.
IRS Tax Relief for Individuals and Businesses: Information about tax filing and payment deadlines for taxpayers in areas covered by the disaster declaration.
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Information on funding for state, local, tribal and territorial governments for hazard mitigation and rebuilding plans that reduce or mitigate future disaster losses.

State-Specific Links:

Alabama

Florida

Georgia

North Carolina

South Carolina

Tennessee

Tribal Governments

Virginia

FEMA: Help for businesses in Virginia impacted by Hurricane Helene

Avoiding Scams After a Natural Disaster

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many bad-faith actors will use fraudulent tactics to take advantage of the urgent situation. Some common scam methods can be very convincing and aim to gain access to money or personal information. Common scam tactics include:

Insisting that you urgently sign a contract for a discount;
Promising FEMA assistance with an application fee;
Requiring payment by wire transfer, payment apps, cryptocurrency, or even cash;
Recommending that you borrow money from a “lender” they know.

Recovery scams are to be expected after any disaster. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is already sharing tips to help hurricane survivors spot red flags.

Tips to Avoid Scams:

Stay alert: Use caution when opening suspicious links and attachments especially when the email contains a hurricane related subject line.
Do your research: Know that FEMA does not require an application fee and familiarize yourself with other key details to spot a scammer easily.
Be skeptical: Do not believe the first thing you hear. Talk to more than one contractor and ask for proof of license, insurance, and the contract. If they make excuses as to why that is not necessary- walk away.
Keep sensitive information to yourself: Do not disclose personal information as bad-faith actors can contact you via calls or emails. Know that FEMA will only contact you if you have called FEMA first or if you have already applied for assistance.

Post-Disaster Scam Resources

CISA Warns of Hurricane-Related Scams: Government resources to minimize scam risks.
FEMA's Rumor Control Page: Stay informed and report suspicious activity here.
- Beware of Fraud and Scams: FEMA fact sheet to identify the warning and scam signs.
- Frequently Asked Questions and Rumors: This FEMA page addresses common rumors and FAQs.
National Center for Disaster Fraud: Organization dedicated to preventing, detecting, and investing natural disaster fraud.
How to Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters: Key tips to protect yourself and your organization.

Immediate Actions for Business Owners

As business owners work through clean-up and initial recovery efforts, you’ll need to review applicable insurance coverage and begin documenting and filing claims.

Resources for Impacted Businesses

Review your business interruption insurance coverage: Look to your business insurance policies for funds to help rebuild and cover losses, including business interruption resulting from damage to owned property.
File a business interruption claim: An interruption occurs when an organization experiences an economic loss due to an insurable event. Learn about key documentation needed after a natural disaster and consider designating a response team to manage this process.
Address business continuity: Understand the elements of an effective business continuity plan.
Consider IRS implications: Determine if your county is part of a major disaster declaration issued by the President. Taxpayers in areas covered by the disaster declaration have until May 1, 2025, to file federal tax returns and make tax payments.

Immediate Actions for Government Entities

To quickly facilitate recovery within communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, it’s important for government entities to access and utilize available federal funding efficiently. Starting immediately, your agency should consider the following steps:

Initiate emergency procurement. Make sure contracts include required federal clauses, avoid cost-plus-percentage-of-cost terms, seek multiple quotes when possible, tailor procurement to your specific needs, and shift to competitive procurement as soon as possible.
Activate your pre-positioned contracts. If you have pre-positioned contracts in place, activate them immediately. Document all actions and amendments. Make sure the work performed is within the scope of the contract. If you need additional support, follow emergency procurement guidelines.
Start your damage assessment and thoroughly document. FEMA might take several months to complete in-person site assessments, and by then you may have already repaired much of the damage. Because detailed damage reports are crucial for FEMA funding, they now accept applicant-provided documentation, which can speed up the process and make sure all damage is properly captured.
Apply for assistance. Apply for assistance as soon as possible but before the deadline by submitting a Request for Public Assistance through your state’s application portal.

Resources for Impacted Governmental & Tribal Entities

Navigating FEMA Public Assistance and cost share: When a disaster strikes, individuals and organizations often donate resources to assist with response activities. These donations are a key component to meeting the federal match requirement.
Effective grant management: Federal grant programs can provide much-needed financial relief to state and local governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations. However, grant recipients must navigate complex compliance requirements, Uniform Guidance provisions, and logistical challenges.
Utilizing pre-positioned contracts during a disaster: FEMA prepositioned contracts are agreements entered into by local governmental entities, state agencies, and some nonprofits to ensure essential goods and services are available in advance of a disaster, enabling a swift response when urgent demands arise.
Public Assistance and Policy Guide | FEMA: This guide serves as a comprehensive manual for FEMA disaster relief efforts that covers every element in the process while addressing common concerns and questions.

Immediate Actions for Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations are often uniquely positioned to be impacted by a disaster and support their community in the aftermath. Although you may be focused on providing services to others, getting your organization back to full operations as quickly as possible is important. Below, we provide important initial steps your organization should consider.

Assess your team and resources. Evaluate your organization’s capacity to resume operations and community support.
Update your website to reflect recovery and support. Communicate any efforts related to Hurricane Helene and continuously update as your efforts progress through the recovery phase.
Determine if your organization is eligible for FEMA Public Assistance. Generally, you must have an IRS ruling letter under 501(c), (d), or (e) and provide critical services under FEMA rules, such as education, emergency, or medical service, or provide essential social service to the general public. Apply for assistance as soon as possible but before the deadline by submitting a Request for Public Assistance through your state’s application portal.
Document everything. Take steps to ensure the maximum reimbursement, including proper documentation of damages and procurement as well as saving all receipts. Quickly engage with third-party contractors to support your efforts. File any insurance claims immediately.
Implement controls to mitigate fraud. If you are establishing a recovery program and will be distributing benefits, including financial payments, ensure you have proper controls in place to prevent fraud or duplication of benefits.

Resources for Impacted Nonprofit Organizations

FEMA Public Assistance Fact Sheet: Check if your nonprofit organization is eligible for FEMA Public Assistance.
FEMA Public Assistance process: FEMA outlines the eligibility criteria for Public Assistance grant funding.
Assistance for Governments and Private Non-Profits After a Disaster: Learn how to get started on your Public Assistance grant application.
Disaster Recovery – What Donors & Nonprofits Need to Know: Review this guide for donors and nonprofits on effective disaster recovery.

Help Is Available

If you need more information on the above resources and practices, please contact our team members below. EisnerAmper professionals have led and contributed to disaster management projects for more than two decades, and we are ready to assist you in navigating the complex disaster recovery landscape. Our priority is helping your organization leverage the recovery resources available during this challenging time.