Message from DMHDDSUS Director: Hurricane Helene Resources and Updates

Dear Community Partners,

Please see the following press releases with information about the best ways to donate to relief efforts, Medicaid flexibilities, and the disaster distress helpline.

• Press release from DPS about best ways to donate to relief efforts - Best Ways to Donate in the Wake of Hurricane Helene | NC DPS
• Our press release about Medicaid flexibilities - Temporary Flexibilities in Place for Medicaid Beneficiaries Due to Hurricane Helene Devastation | NCDHHS
• Disaster Distress Helpline - Disaster Distress Helpline: Get Immediate Crisis Counseling and Support | SAMHSA

Summary of On-Going Actions by NCDHHS:

• We are quickly getting food and water out impacted areas. 
• So far, we have distributed over 2,000 gallons of water to Ashe County, nearly 3,000 gallons to Avery County, and over 31,000 gallons to Watauga. 
• We have distributed 2,400 hot meals to Ashe County and 2,000 meals to Watauga. 
• And we have distributed 84 meals ready to eat (MREs) to Avery County and 132 to Watauga. 
• This is top priority and more of these critical resources are being deployed every day. 

• We want to make sure people can get life-saving medication. Find open pharmacies here
• 187 pharmacies are open in the 25 counites and EBCI Tribal Area with federal disaster declaration.  
• Each of the 25 counties, and the EBCI Tribal Area, have at least one pharmacy open and filling prescriptions. 
• Walmart is getting a Mobile Pharmacy in Boone – soft opening today, full open tomorrow.  
• Walgreens is planning mobile pharmacy locations in Hendersonville and Asheville. Those should be opening next week.  
• CVS will be opening their store in Spruce Pine (Mitchell County) today. We are also working to share shelter information with them to connect courier services to ensure med access at shelters. 

• For folks that need dialysis, we are ensuring those services are available.
• The primary provider of Dialysis in the region has 13 of 14 facilities open. The facility that is not open (Hendersonville) was severally flooded and it will be a while before it is open. 
• We’re working them to expand services in their open clinics until they’re able to reopen the final location. 
• As of yesterday morning, they had reached all but 48 of their 1,000 patients. 

• We have been concerned about oxygen supplies. And have been working to source supplies from multiple vendors, federal agencies, and neighboring states. 
• We have filled 15 requests for oxygen which includes over 1500 smaller cylinders used by EMS and over 50 larger cylinders for healthcare facilities. 
• Additionally, over 200 oxygen concentrators have been provided to shelters. 
• We still have outstanding requests from counties for oxygen and expect to have more by the end of today. We are also working to put refill stations in place for future use. 

There are so many North Carolinians hurting right now. There is physical loss, emotional toll, and mental toll. We are here, and we are not leaving you. If you need someone to talk to, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.