Resources for Our Impacted Community Following Hurricane Helene

Dear NC State community,

I hope each of you, your families and your loved ones are safe and secure as our state and region assess the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Our hearts are broken for those in our community who are from areas in North Carolina and beyond that were in the path of this brutal storm. Our thoughts are also with our fellow university communities that were devastated with flooding in the western part of our state.

If you’ve been impacted by the storm, here are key resources available to help you:

Emergency Support Resources

• North Carolina Department of Public Safety: Answers questions about Hurricane Helene, including what to do if you cannot reach a loved one, need emergency rescue or want to track the situation in your area.
• American Red Cross: Offers disaster relief and support services.
• Disaster Assistance: Helps with housing, food and financial relief.
• Disaster Distress Helpline: Those dealing with the impacts of the hurricane can call 1-800-985-5990 for emotional support.
• Shelters: Find nearby shelters and other forms of emergency housing.
• Live Traffic Updates and Road Conditions: Check current conditions before traveling.
• North Carolina Emergency Management: Tracks local responses to the hurricane.
• Power Outages: Information on local outages and restoration times.

County-Specific Information

• Many counties are providing real-time updates on their websites and social media pages. You can find your specific county and its latest updates on the North Carolina county government webpage.

On-Campus Resources for Students

• Counseling Center: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, our Counseling Center offers emotional support. Visit counseling.dasa.ncsu.edu to schedule an appointment.
• Pack Essentials: If you are experiencing financial hardship, housing insecurity or food needs, Pack Essentials can provide support.
• Absence Verification: If you need assistance regarding class attendance, please review information about the absence verification process.
• Office of Student Life and Advocacy: We know this is a difficult time for many in our community. If you need additional assistance or someone to talk to, please contact student-life-advocacy@ncsu.edu.

Additionally, as part of the UNC System, NC State is already lending personnel and resources to help our colleagues at UNC Asheville with recovery over the next several weeks. I also want to thank our NC State Extension agents across the state, especially those who were personally affected and who are already working to help their communities recover.

Thank you to all in our Pack who plan to assist or are already helping – it’s times like these that remind us all of the importance of community and care.

As we move forward, I encourage all of you to be mindful of what so many in our state and throughout the Southeast are experiencing. Please reach out to one another, and take advantage of the resources available to you as part of the NC State community.

Thank you, and take good care,

Randy Woodson
Chancellor