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Highlands, NC: Open for Business

Highlands Access Map - Fall 2024

UPDATED 11/4/24
Highlands area businesses, shops, and restaurants are open and eager to welcome you. Highlands was fortunate to fare reasonably well from Hurricane Helene, especially compared to some of our neighbors here in Western North Carolina. Thank you for your caring and support.

Highway 106 (Dillard Road) is closed between Osage Overlook and Turtle Pond Road for repairs for the foreseeable future. Sky Valley, GA and Scaly Mountain, NC are accessible from the west via Highway 106, and the businesses are open and eager to welcome you. For those traveling to Highlands, alternative routes are available: take Highway 64 from Franklin or Cashiers, or from Clayton, GA, follow Warwoman Road to Highway 28. For more information on the closure and its evolving timeline, please visit https://drivenc.gov/

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust's public access trails are open, other than Brushy Face Preserve (all trails closed due to severe tree damage) and Dixon Woods Park (*Main trails open* Lower Dixon Loop trail closed due to major tree damage). For updates or to contribute to aid and relief efforts, visit: www.hcltnc.org.

All developed recreation sites, trials and roads in the Nantahala National Forest (https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc) are open. 

HOW TO HELP

Support Highlands Area Organizations
Here is a list of local needs:

The Rotary Club of Highlands and Mountaintop Rotary are purchasing propane heaters to target homes in remote parts of the mountains that will be without power in the coming months. To help with this effort we prefer financial contributions so we can purchase specific heaters. Go to https://mtrgives.org/ to make financial donations. 

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation
If you are looking for a way to support those affected by this disaster, consider making a donation to the Health Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund. Every dollar you contribute will play a crucial role in rebuilding our communities and providing essential aid to those who have been impacted. Donate: https://highlandscashiershealthfoundation.org/helenedisasterresponse/

Highlands Food Pantry (10am-5pm, Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 350 Spring Street, Highlands)
https://internationalfriendshipcenter.org 

Highlands Emergency Council (71 Poplar Street, Highlands) 
Items in need:

  • Diapers
  • Pet food
  • 13-gallon garbage bags
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper towels
  • Toothpaste and toothbrushes
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Laundry detergent
  • Hand soap
  • Non-perishable food items 
  • Financial contributions 

Pisgah Legal
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, countless families are left vulnerable, facing urgent needs in securing housing, accessing benefits, and rebuilding their lives. Pisgah Legal is stepping in to provide critical, free legal support to those most affected. Thousands of people will again be depending on Pisgah Legal for essential aid that includes, but is not limited to:

  • housing assistance (for both renters and homeowners)
  • health insurance and Medicaid
  • disaster employment benefits
  • consumer scams
  • and applying for FEMA assistance and other local and/or state aid. 

A donation will directly fund essential services for displaced and struggling community members. Donate: https://www.pisgahlegal.org/?form=FUNGNWWDVDN 

People in Partnership
WNC Storm Relief Fund: https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/DkhQj5zTWyqb4oG3nfUU8P 

Becoming Exponential
https://becoming-exponential.org/

WNC Strong
wnc-strong.com/634819

If you’re able and willing to donate to relief efforts for those affected in Western North Carolina, the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is accepting contributions.

The NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund, managed by the NCRLA Foundation, is accepting contributions. All funds raised will go directly to support restaurant and hotel employees in Western North Carolina facing significant financial hardship in the aftermath of the storm. You may donate directly to the fund or consider establishing fundraising efforts in your business and remitting proceeds directly to the NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund. To learn more, please contact Courtney Hamm at chamm@ncrla.org or 919-844-7883.

The North Carolina Arts Foundation is accepting contributions to further their assistance to artists and arts organizations affected by Hurricane Helene. 

Airbnb is partnering with local nonprofits in North Carolina to connect those displaced by the storm with temporary free housing. Find more information on the offering, how to provide free or discounted stays or make a donation to relief efforts here.

Southern Smoke Foundation is also offering emergency assistance to workers in the food and beverage industry in North Carolina who have been affected. Contributions to their efforts can be made here

SPECIAL OFFERS FROM HIGHLANDS BUSINESSES AND/OR PROCEEDS BENEFITTING RELIEF EFFORTS

RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES, EMPLOYEES AND INDIVIDUALS

Individuals, families and businesses seeking assistance in the aftermath of the storm can find a listing of resources from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina here. Link includes information on FEMA, Grants, Loans, Logistical Support and more! 

D-SNAP

Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for help buying food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) which will begin on Oct. 18, 2024. D-SNAP is open to individuals and households not currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. NCDHHS estimates more than 150,000 people will apply for up to $120 million in D-SNAP benefits. Details: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/food-and-nutrition-services-food-stamps/hurricane-helene-food-and-nutrition-services-fns-flexibilities/hurricane-helene-disaster-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-d-snap

NC Department of Commerce
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
Following a federal disaster declaration because of Hurricane Helene, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available in 25 counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. People in these counties have 60 days from October 1 to file an application for Disaster Unemployment Assistance at des.nc.gov. The deadline to apply is December 2. Go to https://www.des.nc.gov/dua for more information.

Gov. Cooper issued an executive order increasing weekly unemployment benefits to a maximum of $600/week. This is a major increase from the prior max ($350) and will hopefully provide much needed relief to folks.

Legal Assistance

  • Legal Aid of North Carolina stands ready to provide free advice and legal counsel regarding natural disaster needs, including legal representation if necessary, including for civil legal issues involving:
    • Filing FEMA claims and appeals (a process which can be overwhelmingly bureaucratic and burdensome)
    • Replacement of lost or destroyed legal and government documents, including driver’s licenses and identification cards
    • Medical and insurance claims
    • Home repair contracts
    • Utility disputes related to restoration of services
    • Consumer protection issues like construction fraud, price-gouging on repairs and identity theft
    • Housing issues such as unlawful eviction and foreclosures
    • Bankruptcy
    • Probate and clearing title for survivors living in generational homes without a clear title
    • Family law cases and children in need of services (unfortunately, domestic violence tends to rise following a natural disaster)
  • If you need civil legal assistance, please contact Legal Aid of North Carolina via the following toll-free hotline:
    • (866) 219-LANC or (866) 219-5262
      • The hotline is available from:
        • 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Thursdays.
      • Constituents can also apply online at legalaidnc.org/get-help/ between 1:00-4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Veterans

  • Legionnaires, Sons of the American Legion members and Legion Posts that have been displaced from their primary residence due to damage sustained during Hurricane Helene may be eligible for financial assistance through the American Legion.
    • Legionnaires and Sons of the American Legion members may be eligible for up to $3,000.
    • Legion Posts may be eligible for up to $10,000.
      • To learn more or to request assistance, please use this link.
      • Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the disaster: Dec. 26, 2024.

We are proud to serve the Highlands area community. Thank you for your patience, kindness, and unwavering support. Together, we will overcome this.

Stronger Together #wncstrong