Dear Friends, 

As you may all be aware, Hurricane Helene's devastating impacts on North Carolina require an unprecedented response. The Cooper Administration is hard at work to ensure help is given to those in need. Today, Governor Cooper is in Western North Carolina with FEMA to assess the damage and check on relief efforts to ensure our state gets the resources necessary for a quick recovery. Per the Department of Transportation's recommendation, please do not drive to western NC. This is to keep the limited roads that are open available for emergency workers and those evacuating. If you must drive to that region, please visit drivenc.gov for the most up-to-date road conditions.

As we begin relief efforts, we hope you and your family are safe and well. We wanted to take this time to offer resources to those in need and those looking to help.

• For help locating food, water, shelter and other local resources, 211 is a great resource. They can also help with reporting people as missing or needing welfare checks.
• Please visit, Readync.gov as a resource for information on shelters, power outages and disaster assistance.
• To donate, please visit the NC Disaster Relief Fund, nc.gov/donate.

Jonathan Garcia Cortez

Outreach Assistant, Office of the Governor