Hurricane Helene: Cultural Resources and Assistance

Our heartfelt thoughts go out to all North Carolinians and especially those in Western North Carolina. Across the Southeast, our friends, families, trustees, partners, and communities have been impacted in historically devastating ways by Hurricane Helene. Ensuring the personal safety and well-being of everyone is the highest priority; and we thank first responders and volunteers delivering on-the-ground assistance.
 
In the weeks ahead, as more of the devastation and aftermath of Hurricane Helene is revealed, we know that people will be working together to comfort and help one another with basic needs, water, power, communications, and search and rescue challenges. Please stay up-to-date with and follow guidance from local authorities, take necessary precautions, and limit travel to protect yourselves, your loved ones, and neighbors.
 
As our team continues to gather information and reach Western North Carolina communities, we are learning more about immediate needs and available opportunities for all North Carolinians and organizations. Below is an ever-growing list of emergency support resources for those in need. This list will be continuously updated as more resources are discovered. 

Please do all you can to stay safe and share care with others to fuel our strength for rebuilding together.

With gratitude,
North Carolina Humanities Board of Trustees and Staff

RESOURCES FOR HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER:

Please note that NC Humanities is not a first response organization. If your situation presents an immediate concern for safety or property, please contact the appropriate authorities.

Individual Resources:

• ReadyNC.gov has information on road conditions, power outages, shelters, and more.
• North Carolina Department of Public Safety has Hurricane Helene-specific information and resources for those impacted.
• The Heritage Emergency National Task Force’s (HENTF) Save Your Family Treasures guidance can help you recover and salvage your family heirlooms after a disaster occurs. Here you can find the downloadable FEMA fact sheets “After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures” and “Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms,” available in multiple languages.
• Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.
• Visit Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website to see their response efforts and how you can apply for assistance.
• Visit the Red Cross website for detailed information about receiving assistance, volunteering and donating.

Organizational Resources:

• NEH Disaster Recovery Grants for Humanities Collections: The Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has issued an open call for applications for the Chair’s Disaster Recovery Grants for Humanities Collections. Humanities organizations that steward collections affected by Hurricane and Tropical Storm Helene and Hurricane Milton are invited to apply. Emergency response and recovery activities may include salvaging humanities collections such as rare books, documents, photographs, artwork, sculptures, historical objects, audiovisual media, and digital collections. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 25, 2025.
• FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters. To help explain more about this process, please watch this video on how you can benefit from available federal funding to help your organization recover.
• The Heritage Emergency National Task Force offers assistance at the federal, state, tribal, local, and institutional level to help to protect cultural and historic resources before, during, and after an event. If you or artists and cultural institutions you know were impacted by the disaster, please fill out one of the following rapid damage assessment forms:
  • Cultural Institutions: Rapid Damage Assessment Form
  • Arts Organizations: Rapid Damage Assessment Form
  • Individual Artists and Performing Groups: Rapid Damage Assessment Form
• Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068. The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.
• Contact the Cultural Resources Emergency Support Team who helps provide technical assistance, assessments, and recovery for North Carolina’s museum and archival collections in the aftermath of disaster.
• The North Carolina Network of Grantmakers has lists of resources, convenings, and updates for North Carolina’s foundations and nonprofits accepting donations and seeking aid.
• Arts North Carolina has a list of resources specific to artists and arts organizations.
• The NC Rural Center has complied a resource list for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, businesses, and others seeking help, including loan opportunities.
• The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits has support resources for nonprofit organizations and ways for people to get involved.

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