Weather Recovery Resources

Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic devastation in multiple states, including western North Carolina on Sept. 26-27. Earlier in September, several communities near UNCW experienced severe flooding during an unnamed storm. The university has prepared a list of resources below to help students, faculty and staff navigate the effects of these storms.  

To everyone in and from storm-affected areas, we stand #seahawkstrong with you. 

Campus Resources for Affected Students

(online and on-campus) 

• Counseling support is available to students through the University Counseling Center (910.962.3746). 

• Information about support available for basic needs—food, clothing, emergency funds and other resources—is available from the Office of the Dean of Students.  

• Laptop loaners are available from TAC. 

• Students located in affected areas who are experiencing issues accessing course materials, attending class, meeting course deadlines, or other course-related challenges should contact their course instructor(s) as soon as possible to provide information and discuss options. 

• Questions regarding courses can also be directed to the academic department chair/school director. (A list of academic departments/schools is on each college website.)  

• Students should contact their assigned academic advisor for questions on university academic deadlines or academic planning. (Assigned academic advisor contact information for undergraduate students is in Starfish or DegreeWorks. Graduate student advisors are listed in DegreeWorks.) 

For Displaced Western North Carolina Students 

• Students displaced from App State, UNC Asheville or Western Carolina University because of Hurricane Helene are welcome to use UNCW Campus Recreation facilities.   

Campus Resources for Affected Employees 

• Counseling resources are available through the Employee Assistance Program. 

• Laptop loaners are available from TAC. 

• The Seahawk Swap Shop is stocked with donated goods such as clothing and accessories, household decor and office supplies, kitchen items and small appliances available for free.

• The UNCW Emergency Loan Program provides short-term, emergency financial assistance.

• Employees who need to alter their work schedules because of storm-related reasons should contact their supervisor to provide information and discuss options. Additional information and guidance can be found on the Adverse Weather Policy and Leave webpage. 

Additional Resources  

• UNCW Emergency Preparedness 

• American Red Cross of the Cape Fear Area of North Carolina  

• Finding Friends and Family After Hurricane Helene | American Red Cross

• Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center

• Disaster resources for the arts and creative sector | Triangle ArtWorks

• North Carolina Emergency Management 

• Three ways to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance: Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov; download the FEMA App on a mobile device; or call 800.621.3362, 7 a.m.-11 a.m. daily

• State of North Carolina Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): File an application at des.nc.gov or call 919-629-3857.

• Hurricane Helene Answers and Resources via NCDPS.gov

• Hurricane Helene Facts vs. Rumors via NCDPS.gov 

• Emergency Information and Disaster Assistance: ReadyNC.gov 

• Traffic Updates and Road Conditions: DriveNC.gov

• Updates from County Governments

• United Way 2-1-1: NC211.org

• CDC Disaster Distress Hotline—1.800.985.5990 

• UNCW Campus Operator—910.962.3000, M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Want to help? 

Please see the resources below to help communities affected by storm-related damage. 

Lists of resources

• A collection of giving opportunities compiled by the Asheville Citizen Times  

• Trusted links to organizations offering relief and volunteer opportunities
  Activate Good

• Ways to donate in the Cape Fear to help those impacted by Helene in Western NC 
  WWAYTV3 

• Local organizations accepting donations to help North Carolinians affected by Helene 
  WECT 

• UNCW Ways to Give—General ways to get involved and give back to our community.   

Direct resources

• American Red Cross Blood Drive on UNCW Campus—Oct. 3  

• American Red Cross Hurricane Helene Relief

• Appalachian State University Disaster Relief Fund

• Cape Fear Volunteer Center Donations  

• Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina Hurricane Helene Resources & Support

• NCSSM-Morganton Helene Recovery Fund

• North Carolina Arboretum giving website (Select “The ONE Fund” designation)

• North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

• Support the UNCW Student Emergency Fund
  The UNCW Student Emergency Fund is a donor supported resource, created after Hurricane Florence, to provide financial assistance to students who encounter unforeseen difficulties threatening their ability to continue their education or encounter challenges that disrupt their academic progress.

• UNC Asheville giving website (Select “UNC Asheville Fund” designation)

• UNCW Latino Alliance

• Western Carolina University Emergency Fund

Have questions? Send them to the Office of University Relations at our@uncw.edu and we will do our best to redirect them to the appropriate office.