In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, CFIC and our partner NC Emergency Management are committed to supporting and supplying helpful information to the directly impacted retailers, their customers and employees in the affected areas of the state.
CFIC’s first priority is, as always, to be the reliable resource for retailers who need answers, guidance and information. For that reason, CFIC maintains close contact with state and federal officials and is constantly monitoring the situation in Western North Carolina.
If you or your company would like to contribute to CFIC’s charitable foundation, the Retail Consumer Alliance Foundation (RCA), we will pass along 100% of donations received to charitable organizations that are supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
On this page we share updates, links to important documents, and provide industry specific information.
HELPFUL LINKS
DOCUMENTATION
- Governor Cooper Executive Order - State of Emergency
- Governor Cooper Executive Order 318
- SSC-ESC- Emergency Declaration
- Notice of Enforcement Discretion Determination
- Important Notice on Tax Relief for Hurricane Victims
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available
- North Carolina State Health Director’s Epinephrine Auto Injector Standing Order
REAL-TIME UPDATES
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Power: Restoration remains a priority with 86,371 outages remaining (0 substations and 3 transmission lines down).
Roads: There are at least 612 roads that remain closed due to flooding, trees and downed power lines. This number is increasing as connectively is restored and reporting improves. (3 Interstate, 43 US, 50 NC and 516 secondary roads). Visit www.drivenc.gov for road conditions. There are some FEMA checkpoints along I-40, I-77 and I-26 in the Western part of the state to verify access due to recovery efforts.
Water: Currently, 76 systems on boil water advisories and of these, 38 systems need bacteria results to clear the advisory. Additionally, 9 systems have no power, 47 are operating on backup power and 25 systems are out water. Visit: Public Water Supply Situation Report Tracking for more detailed information.
Solid Waste / Debris Management: There are currently 41 Active Debris Sites and 17 Pending Review and Approval. The WTS (waste transfer station) is in operation in Asheville. Link: Active Solid Waste Sites
From Buncombe County:
Non-potable water (grey water) for flushing toilets is now available at all County and City distribution sites:
- William W. Estes Elementary – 275 Overlook Rd, Asheville
- Sand Hill Elementary – 154 Sand Hill School Rd, Asheville (Enter via Acton Circle)
- North Windy Ridge Intermediate – 20 Doan Rd, Weaverville
- Fairview Elementary – 1355 Charlotte Hwy, Fairview
- Black Mountain Ingles – 550 NC-9, Black Mountain
- Cane Creek Middle – 570 Lower Brush Creek Rd, Fletcher
- Leicester Elementary – 31 Gilbert Rd, Leicester
- Pack Square Park – 70 Court Plaza, Asheville
- Asheville Middle – 211 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville
- Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center – 121 Shiloh Rd, Asheville
- Lucy Herring Elementary – 98 Sulphur Springs Rd, Asheville
- Oakley Elementary – 753 Fairview Rd, Asheville
| USDA’s hot foods waiver WILL BE ISSUED STATEWIDE in order to accommodate SNAP customers that have been displaced. The hot foods waiver will run from Friday, October 4 until November 3. Please make sure your POS systems are programmed.
The hot foods waiver allows for SNAP benefits to be used for HOT foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises in every county. To reiterate: All SNAP authorized retailers will need to update their systems. These purchases are not subject to sales tax when purchased with SNAP EBT benefits. Resources: |
CFIC has reviewed the local emergency declarations below and made note of any requirements that affect your store operations relative to curfews or sales restrictions. Remember to provide associates access to your re-entry certification PDF to show to local officials during curfew hours.
To view the list, click here.
Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency effective September 25, 2024, and will remain in effect for 30 days unless terminated earlier.
The Order activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and allows for the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to take the appropriate action to ensure the expeditious movement of utility vehicles to eliminate power outages, vehicles carrying essential supplies such as food, medicine and fuel or transporting livestock, poultry and crops. This order also triggers the NC Price Gouging Law.
The full declaration under Executive Order No. 315 can be found here.
SNAP BENEFITS INFO
| Benefit Type | North Carolina | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Foods Waiver | In effect statewide from Oct. 4 – Nov. 3, 2024 | None |
| SNAP Replacement Benefits | SNAP recipients residing in the following 23 counties will automatically be issued a replacement of 70% of their September benefits: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey |
SNAP recipients residing in the following 28 counties will automatically be issued a replacement of 55% of their September benefits: Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chester, Colleton, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, York |
| D-SNAP | Eligible residents of the following counties can apply: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey or Eastern Band of Cherokee households in zip code 28719 |
TBD |