Get help, give help: Recovering after Hurricane Dorian

North Carolina's long Atlantic coast has a history of weathering and withstanding hurricanes, but high winds and storm surge can do damage even inland when the conditions are right. After the storm, it is natural to want to help our neighbors. Whether you need help or want to give help, this is your guide.

Jump to a question Get help with insurance claims Help hurricane victims Help pets caught in the storm Volunteer for hurricane cleanup Replace important documents FEMA housing help Dealing with water, wind damage

Give help after a hurricane

DONATE TO HELP OTHERS

Donations – by credit card, check or cash – are always the most efficient way to make sure that relief agencies on the scene of a crisis are able to purchase and distribute any necessary items.

The United Way of North Carolina has set up the UWHelpsNC relief fund to support the immediate and short-term unmet needs for those impacted by Hurricane Dorian.

Ways to give:

Go to United Way of North Carolina’s UWHelpsNC to donate from a mobile phone, tablet or computer

Text UWHELPSNC to 41444 to make a donation

Send a check to United Way of North Carolina's office at:

1130 Kildaire Farm Road

Suite 100

Cary NC 27511

Other trusted ways to give:

Secure contributions can be made to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund.

If you are unable to give online, you may mail your contribution to:

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

20312 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699

If you prefer to donate goods to your local charity, the most needed items are cleaning supplies and non-perishable food.

The Salvation Army is providing relief assistance in FLA, GA and the Carolinas.

The American Red Cross is providing relief assistance in the Bahamas, FLA, GA and the Carolinas.

Charity Navigator is vetting relief organizations that had pre-positioned resources to deliver food, emergency shelter, medical care, and other critical items to people impacted by Dorian in the Bahamas. Charities are rated on a 5-star scale based on their financial health and their accountability and transparency.

Get help after a hurricane

REQUEST DISASTER ASSISTANCE

Those in need of assistance can call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. (local time) seven days a week or visit DisasterAssistance.gov, enter their home address and find out if the area where they live has been declared for individual assistance.

To apply for assistance, you will need:

Social Security Number

Daytime telephone number

Current mailing address and address and zip code of the damaged property

Insurance information, if available.

FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM

Most North Carolina homes are required to carry flood insurance, an addendum not covered by most standard homeowners' policies, and policies must be in place 30 days before a storm to pay out.

If you have a homeowner’s or flood insurance policy, file your insurance claim immediately before applying for disaster assistance . Get the process started quickly. The faster you file, the faster your recovery can begin.

Contact your insurance agent as quickly as possible and ask for instructions on what to do until the adjuster arrives.

Prepare an inventory of personal property that has been damaged or destroyed; take pictures of the damaged property.

Keep all receipts. Reasonable expenses to protect your property are part of the loss and are generally reimbursed by insurance companies.

Do not have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs.

If your home is uninhabitable, most homeowner's policies pay additional living expenses while your property is being repaired. Before renting temporary housing, check with your insurance company or agent to determine what expenses will be reimbursed.

Review the settlement steps outlined in your policy. If you are dissatisfied with the proposed settlement offer, explain your position. If there is a significant difference between what the insurance company offers and what you believe you are entitled to, you may wish to submit the dispute to arbitration.

If you have questions about the insurance claims process or need assistance, you can call the Consumer Services Division of the N.C. Department of Insurance at 855-408-1212.

REPLACE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Events such as the flooding caused by hurricanes commonly result in the loss of important documents. North Carolinians can use the following resources to replace lost or damaged documents and records.

Contact your county Department of Social Services: 866-719-0141

Replace your EBT card: 888-622-7328

Order new birth and death certificates: 919-733-3000

Replace a lost driver's license

Replace vehicle titles: 919-715-7000

Replace a Social Security card

Replace a Medicare card: 800-772-1213

Replace a Green Card: 800-375-5283

Replace a U.S. Passport: 877-487-2778

Replace an EE bond

Request military service records