Watauga County Information and Resources

This page highlights the efforts of our community partners across Watauga County in response to Hurricane Helene. Here, you will find direct links to our partners’ websites and information about various community initiatives. For ongoing updates and announcements, please follow the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook and Instagram. 

Additionally, we are accepting monetary donations through the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation to support community and business relief efforts.

Donate to the BACC Foundation for Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

Supply Donation & Volunteer Information

If you are bringing physical donations to the high country and are looking for sites that are accepting donations, follow the link below.

www.supportingwnc.com

Watauga County Partners

Stay up-to-date on the latest news from our community partners with the links below.

Town of Boone
Their website includes a specific page called Hurricane Helene Resources & Services with information about food, shelter, FEMA, volunteer opportunities, and more.
Town of Boone 


Appalachian State University
appstate.edu


Watauga County Emergency Services
This page includes important emergency information, lists of road closures and more. 
Watauga County Emergency Services

UNC Health Appalachian
Their website includes up-to-date information about provider openings, closings, and more.
UNC Health Appalachian 

Other Relevant Boone Chamber Links
Emergency Service Provider List
Business Resources: Hurricane Relief Support
Visitor Information

Official Messaging

This is a curated list of updates from our community partners that are relevant to our members. For more detailed information, we encourage you to visit the links listed in the Watauga County Partners section above, which will direct you to our partners’ websites and social media pages.

📍 Watauga County Emergency Services Curfew Rescinded | October 28 at 12:24 PM

Watauga County's curfew has been rescinded effective immediately. Thank you for your cooperation navigating this time of recovery. View post.

📍 Watauga County is in a State of Emergency as of October 1, 2024

Read the official press release here. 
Also see this: North Carolina Receives Federal Major Disaster Declaration

📍 Watauga County Emergency Services | Debris Removal Information

Debris Removal Press Release
Debris Removal Guide
FEMA Fact Sheet, Public Assistance: Category A - Debris Removal including Private Property Debris 

📍 Important General FEMA Info & Disaster Recovery Center Information

General FEMA Information
Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and families affected by this disaster. There are several ways to apply:

• FEMA TS Helene Resource Hub for NC
• DisasterAssistance.gov
• FEMA App
• Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily.
  • The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

Source: Press Release from the NC Governor

REMINDER! Document your damages now! Photograph your damages and items you have to throw away. Homeowners and renters in Watauga County can apply for assistance through FEMA.

For more information about FEMA in Boone, including fact sheets and additional PDFs featuring guidance for recovery, visit this page organized by the Town of Boone.

Disaster Recovery Center Information
A Disaster Recovery Center is opening Tuesday, Oct. 15 in Boone (Watauga County) to assist North Carolina survivors who experienced loss from Helene. 

The Watauga County DRC is located at:  

Appalachian Enterprise Center
130 Poplar Grove Connector 
Boone, N.C. 28607

Open: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday

A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is a one-stop shop where survivors can meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives, apply for FEMA assistance, receive referrals to local assistance in their area, apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans and much more. 

For more information, go here.

Boone Area Chamber of Commerce | Posted Monday, October 21

In its first meeting since Watauga County was deeply impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, Senator Ralph Hise (NC-47) presented recovery updates and took questions from a full audience of local officials and business leaders at the Watauga County Economic Development Commission meeting held on October 17, 2024.

Senator Hise was scheduled to attend the meeting prior to the storm to provide updates from the North Carolina General Assembly, but instead used the majority of his time focusing on the impacts of Helene on Western North Carolina.

“Because the legislature has been successful in its goal of building key reserves, we are in a good position financially for issues like this,” said Senator Hise. “We consider the initial $273 million approved by the General Assembly to be a down payment on storm recovery.”

Keep Reading

Town of Boone | Posted Friday, October 18

The Town of Boone will resume parking enforcement on Monday, October 21st. Parking will not be enforced today, October 18th, or tomorrow, October 19th. We thank you for your patience while we continue to recover from Hurricane Helene's aftermath.

Watauga County Emergency Services | Posted Tuesday, October 15

Town of Boone | Posted Friday, October 11

Daniel Boone Park Area Usage Update in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

Explore Boone, Town of Boone, & Boone Chamber | Posted Friday, October 11

The Return to Boone and Watauga County