Recoverying from Hurricane Helene

September 28, 2024 Last Edit: June 5, 2025

The storm brought heavy rains and massive flooding to the western North Carolina

Recoverying from Hurricane Helene

UPDATE Oct. 7, 2024 The U.S. Department of Labor has provided information on Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), which provides temporary benefits to individuals whose employment — or self-employment — has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance. Click here to learn more about whether you qualify for this assistance. ORIGINAL ARTICLE Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday along Florida’s Big Bend Panhandle as a major hurricane they swept northward, resulting in power outages and flooding in Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. Governor Roy Cooper on Friday requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government for North Carolina for 39 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for federal public assistance and individual assistance in the aftermath of the storm. Public Assistance reimburses government entities and some non-profit organizations for emergency protective measures and debris removal, while Individual Assistance can provide direct financial support to impacted residents. The declaration started the process for providing critical financial assistance to people and communities hit hard by the storm. On Wednesday, President Biden approved Governor Cooper’s request for a Federal Emergency Declaration which provided federal financial reimbursement for response actions by government entities and some non-profits. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety is posting storm-related information here. Here are some things to keep in mind if your business is disrupted or damaged by the storm: Once it’s safe, call your insurance company. At a minimum, you’ll want to ask:

What types of damage are covered?
How long will it take to process my claim?
Will I need to obtain estimates for repairs?

Make temporary repairs. While it’s OK to take steps to protect your property from further damage, you should hold off on making extensive permanent repairs until the claims adjuster (a person professionally trained to assess the damage) has visited your business and assessed the damages. Make sure you save receipts for what you spend on repairs. Prepare for the adjuster’s visits. The more information you have about your damaged property ––descriptions of as many items as possible, approximate date of purchase and what it would cost to replace or repair them––the faster your claim can be settled.

To substantiate your loss, prepare an inventory of damaged or destroyed items and give a copy to the adjuster, along with copies of any receipts. Don’t throw out damaged items until the adjuster has visited. You should also consider photographing or videotaping the damage. If your property was destroyed, or you no longer have any records, work from memory.
Identify structural damage to your business and any supporting structures. Make a list of everything you want to show the adjuster, such as cracks in the walls and missing roof tiles. You should also get the electrical system checked. Most insurance companies pay for these inspections.
Get written bids from licensed contractors. The bids should include details of the materials to be used and prices on a line-by-line basis. This makes adjusting the claim faster and simpler.
Keep copies of the lists and other documents you submit to your insurance company. Also, keep copies of whatever paperwork your insurance company gives you and record the names and phone numbers of everyone to whom you speak.

After your claim has been settled and the repair work is underway. Take the time to re-evaluate your insurance coverage. Was your business adequately insured? Did you have replacement cost coverage for all of your assets? Talk to your insurance agent about possible changes. The North Carolina Community College System’s Small Business Center Network has also shared tips for small businesses impacted by the storm. Click here to learn more.

Topics:

Taxes

State:

North Carolina

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More