10/04/2024
Thank you to everyone in the local area for your support! We are at the point that the Boone PD is asking for a pause on item donations so that they get a chance to work through those donations! That's great news!
We will need continued support in the coming weeks, but for now they are good! The outpouring of support over the past few days has been tremendous and much appreciated!
County, the Town of Boone, Appalachian State University, and partners are collaborating to keep our community informed about Hurricane Helene's impacts and the resources available for relief. Continue to check this post for updates.
FOR EMERGENCIES, CALL 911.
DONATIONS: WEEKEND PAUSE ON UNSCHEDULED DELIVERIES: We thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support for Watauga County and neighboring communities. We are fortunate to have had an abundance of supplies donated to multiple partners across our county. With that said, we request that you please PAUSE any unscheduled deliveries to Watauga County sites throughout this weekend, Oct. 5 and 6, to give our partners time to work through our donation stock, reassess current needs and update our distribution plans. Your efforts have been critical to helping us meet immediate needs — please know that our community will continue to need your support in the weeks and months to come. One of the best ways for you to help support our communities now and in the future is by donating to relief funds. If you wish to make a monetary donation, please consider the following donation sites:
- Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation: boonechamber.com/foundation
- App State Disaster Relief Fund: appstate.edu
- North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: nc.gov/donate
NON-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS:
- 828-268-6200 Boone Town Hall: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, hours subject to change.
- 828-263-4178 Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps Non-Emergency Call Center (for non-urgent inquiries and reports related to storm impacts): 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Daily, leave a message after hours.
- 828-262-2000 Appalachian State University’s Main Line: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CURFEW: Beginning Oct. 1, 2024, and until further notice, the curfew in place for Watauga County, Town of Blowing Rock and Town of Boone is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., due to severely compromised roads and ongoing emergency operations in Watauga County.
URGENT CARE: Urgent Care Services (10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday): 261 Longvue Drive, Boone, NC 28607
RESOURCES (Food, Water, Volunteer & Donation Options, Health Care, Children’s Resources, Debris Cleanup, etc.):
- Boone and Watauga County Resources and Services: townofboone.net/hurricanehelenerecovery
- Watauga County Resource Information - Boone Area Chamber of Commerce: boonechamber.com/news/official-watauga-county-resource-information
- App State Disaster Relief Resources: appstate.edu
- UNC Health Appalachian Community and Employee Resources: apprhs.org
SHELTER:
- Red Cross Emergency Shelter for students and community members, Holmes Convocation Center, 111 Rivers St. Call about pet restrictions.
- Anyone in need of shelter should call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767).
FEMA ASSISTANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS:
IMPORTANT: DOCUMENT YOUR DAMAGES NOW! Photograph damage and items you have to throw away. Homeowners and renters in Watauga County can apply for assistance through FEMA. Use disasterassistance.gov, download the FEMA app, or call 1 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily for assistance. More information can be found at governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2024/09/29/how-apply-fema-assistance-after-hurricane-helene
We have FEMA assistance on the ground in Watauga County. Jake Kwiatkowski is our liaison officer. You can reach out to the call center with questions. 828-263-4178
UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF: Disaster Unemployment Assistance can be applied for here: des.nc.gov/dua
SHOWERS
- The Care Collective, 584 State Farm Rd Suite 104, Boone: Call 828-406-4344 to schedule, or walk-ins welcomed. Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap/Towel available. Handicapped-accessible shower available. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; Sunday 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Walmart, Boone: 11 a.m to 4 p.m Daily, Shower Trailer, Bring Towels and Hygiene Supplies
- 180 Float Spa, 249 Kimberly Dr, Boone: Walk-in available Wednesday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; call 828-832-8180 if appointment is needed
- Fairfield Inn, 2060 Blowing Rock Rd., Boone: There is a room available for the public to take showers. Please ask at the front desk.
- Perkinsville Baptist Church, 274 Jefferson Rd., Boone: Available Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Valle Crucis Conference Center, 146 Skiles Way, Banner Elk: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for hot showers, hot coffee, charging stations, a cell signal (but no Wi-Fi yet), and hot meals. Toiletries and towels also available.
- Bethel Baptist Church now has community care centers available for public use between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. There are shower and toilet trailers available.
- Fairgrounds Raceway, 748 Roby Greene Rd, Boone: Showers available after 5 p.m.; please bring your own items.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: The Town of Boone, Watauga County and App State have experienced a large volume of requests for volunteer information and an influx of volunteers traveling to the area. While we are extremely grateful, we ask all individuals NOT TO TRAVEL TO THE AREA FOR NOW unless you are part of a coordinated volunteer effort, such as the ones listed below. Consider donating to relief funds instead. Find more info at the resource links above and at boonechamber.com.
VOLUNTEER:
- Samaritan’s Purse: spvolunteer.org
- Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps: https://forms.gle/AaKy78d2pL7V2sNk7
- Down Home NC: facebook.com/DownHomeNC and instagram.com/downhomenc/
- American Red Cross: volunteerconnection.redcross.org/
This list of resources is subject to change. Many organizations and individuals are also providing resources for our community, and we are unable to provide an exhaustive list of all these resources. We, as a community, want to thank everyone for their patience and their willingness to help their neighbors!
