On behalf of Carolinas AGC, our hearts go out to everybody, including our members and their families, impacted by the severe weather and flooding resulting from Hurricane Helene. We are grateful to the NCDOT, SCDOT, contractors, materials and equipment suppliers and all other workers and volunteers who will be working hard over the next days, weeks and months to restore the Carolinas. As CAGC learns more, we will continue to offer ways to assist over the coming weeks.
“The magnitude of the flooding has been described as of Biblical proportions, with rainfall from Helene topping 20 trillion gallons in North Carolina alone," said Dave Simpson, Carolinas AGC President and CEO. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the many people affected by this devastation in the Carolinas and beyond.”
In North Carolina:
Recovery Loans
Truist Financial is offering $650M in loans for Hurricane Helene recovery in NC, including $340M for small businesses and $310M for municipal infrastructure. An additional $75M in grants and investments will support recovery efforts. Funds become available starting in December. Click here to view the full article (member username and password required).
Shipping Issues
The I-40 closure near the NC/TN line after Hurricane Helene has disrupted traffic, with trucks relying on GPS ending up on unsafe mountain roads. Officials urge using approved routes, warning of hazards on restricted roads. DriveNC offers updates, and alerts aim to prevent more issues. Click here to view the full article (member username and password required).
Western Water Systems
After weeks without potable water, NC mountain residents are regaining normalcy as boil water notices are lifted. Flooding from Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage to water systems. While services are largely restored, repairs continue, highlighting the need for backup water sources. Click here to view the full article (member username and password required).
NCDOT Calling on Businesses to Help with Helene Recovery
The NC Department of Transportation is seeking businesses interested in helping restore western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. “We are going to need help from qualified businesses with many skill sets,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “There is debris to be moved, roads and bridges to be designed, fixed or rebuilt, as well as other types of contract work to be done. We’re going to need a lot of help to rebuild Western North Carolina.” NCDOT is working to educate the business community on the many contracting opportunities that will be available and the requirements to bid on state transportation contracts. Additionally, NCDOT is providing an up-to-the-minute NCDOT Road Reopening Dashboard and regular updates on the agency’s recovery efforts. Read More
CAGC Hurricane Relief Efforts: Winter Supplies Needed for Western Carolina Relief
The CAGC Foundation Education Committee is seeking donations for much needed winter supplies for the Western Carolina community. Items on this Amazon wish list can be purchased and delivered to the CAGC Foundation Education Committee to be distributed in Western, North Carolina.
North Carolina Department of Public Safety Hurricane Helene Information
Learn more about Hurricane Helene and its impact by visiting the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s page. This page serves as a vital resource for North Carolina residents and visitors affected by Hurricane Helene. Here, you’ll find important information and updates, with additional details being added as they become available. Stay informed about emergency management efforts and resources available for those affected. Visit the website: https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene.
Additional information can be found in our weekly Members Only Government Relations Reports published each Wednesday. Click here to view the latest report (member username and password required).
In South Carolina:
Update from S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW):
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Available: The Disaster
Unemployment Assistance program provides funds to assist people
who live or work in (or, in some circumstances, commute through) one of 26
declared counties (Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg,
Barnwell, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton,
Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee,
Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and York) or
the Catawba Nation and became unemployed as a direct result of
Hurricane Helene. Disaster Unemployment Assistance is also
available to small business owners and the self-employed, including
1099 contract workers, who have lost personal income due to the disaster.
The following workers or business owners may be eligible to
receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits:
- Individuals who are unemployed due to the
disaster and do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits;
- Self-employed individuals and small
business owners who lost income due to the disaster;
- Individuals who were prevented from
working due to an injury caused by the disaster;
- Individuals who have become the major
supplier of household income due to the disaster-related death or injury
of the previous major supplier of household income;
- Individuals who are unable to reach their
job or self-employment location because they must travel through the
affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster; or
- Individuals who were to commence
employment or self-employment but were prevented by the disaster.
Applicants will be required to submit proof about their
employment and other documentation to support the claim that they were working
or self-employed when the disaster occurred. Benefit amounts range from $150.00
- $326.00 per week.
South Carolinians that lost work or were
unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene, can go to the MyBenefits Portal to
apply for unemployment insurance. If they are not eligible for standard
unemployment benefits, their eligibility will be evaluated for Disaster
Unemployment Assistance. Alternatively, South Carolinians can also visit dew.sc.gov and click the MyBenefits
Login in the first circle of the homepage to apply through the unemployment
insurance benefits system. Additional help is available at 1-866-831-1724.
Download and View the Disaster Unemployment Assistance Brochure
General Relief Information:
Governor Henry McMaster's request for a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene has been approved, allowing federal aid for recovery efforts. FEMA will provide Individual Assistance and Public Assistance to various counties, including Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg counties. Additional counties may be added as damage assessments continue. Hazard Mitigation Grant funding will also be available for projects to reduce future disaster risks. For assistance, residents can apply online or via the FEMA App.
Business Recovery:
The U.S. Small Business Administration opened two Business Recovery Centers on Oct. 5 — one in the Upstate and one in the Midlands — to assist businesses and residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. Click here to read more.
Additional information can be found in our weekly Members Only Government Relations Reports published each Wednesday. Click here to view the latest report (member username and password required).
More Ways to Help
Here are just a few of what surely will be many ways to help:
List of Credible Nonprofits to Donate (Newsline) - CLICK HERE.
List of Agencies to support in Western NC (WRAL) – CLICK HERE.
Harvest Hope Food Bank – CLICK HERE.
To help with Animal Rescue – CLICK HERE.
Click here to download a list of shopping supplies to help with cleanup.
Member Testimonial
"My thoughts are that in spite of the greatest disaster we’ve seen in Western North Carolina, the resilience of the community just shines through in the darkest of these days. It is times like these in which those in the construction industry are laying down the business names and coming together to put our roads and bridges back in shape."
John Anglin, Young & McQueen, a Branch Company (located in Yancey County, North Carolina)