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Helene updates and how to apply for FEMA assistance

A note from us

Welcome to Awake58 — a weekly newsletter where you’ll find the latest updates on community college related news and events around the state. Plus, a look at what’s trending nationally in higher education.

If you’re new to Awake58, welcome! Emily Thomas here. If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up for the Awake58 newsletter here. You can also find last week’s edition on our website.

Updates and resources on damage from Hurricane Helene… How to apply for FEMA assistance… Checking on road conditions and connecting with loved ones… Plus, open enrollment for the new State Health Plan is now open…

My heart is heavy as I think about all the places in North Carolina that I love and call home. And the people — always the people. 

The disaster declaration for Helene impacts a number of counties across the state, along with the Qualla Boundary. Those counties include: 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.

The people in these places are strong — with grit and resiliency as hallmarks of their character. But there is a somber feeling of loss and heartbreak that runs through that grit and resiliency. Holding you all in our hearts this week. 

While search and rescue efforts are underway, the full extent of the damage and loss are still unknown. There are 280 state-maintained roads that are closed, including parts of Interstate 40 and Interstate 26. 

Thirty-four storm-related deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina, according to a Monday press release from Gov. Roy Cooper, and dozens of people have been reported missing. Cooper’s press release also includes information on local and federal resources, including feeding sites, shelters, cellphone provider coverage, and more.

“Hurricane Helene has caused unprecedented devastation across Western North Carolina and we are leading an unprecedented response to surge food, water and needed supplies into these communities,” Cooper said. “This will be a long and difficult recovery and we must use every state, local and federal resource at our disposal to save lives, restore communications, and begin critical repairs to roads and infrastructure.”

This week, EdNC will begin conducting an inventory of damage to schools and community colleges. Additionally, we will be reporting directly from impacted schools and community colleges in the weeks to come. The team hopes to iterate our approach in Canton, providing strategic support to presidents and superintendents during this time. 

In the Around NC section below, you can find a list of resources, information regarding ongoing disaster efforts, and ways to support from afar. And here’s a helpful guide on applying for FEMA services. 

EdNC staff have been updating this article twice daily with information about school closures across the state. 

We also need to remind our readers open enrollment for the new State Health Plan started Sept. 30. Aetna will be the State Health Plan’s third party administrator starting Jan. 1, 2025. 

Open enrollment runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 25, 2024. You can find more information here and in EdNC Reads below. 

Team EdNC would like to thank all those who have reached out and kept us updated on impacts to schools and campuses. Our gratitude to those who are on the ground assisting in recovery efforts. 

As our CEO and Editor-in-Chief always says — LOVE NC. And we do — we most certainly do.

Please let me know if you have other ideas on how we can help. My email is [email protected]. 

Until next week,

Emily Thomas

Director of Postsecondary Attainment – EdNC.org

EdNC reads

Hurricane Helene: Updates from the storm and ongoing closures of schools and community colleges

EdNC will update this article twice daily — 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. — or more frequently as needed. School district and community college closures are determined based on the latest information found on district and community college websites, as well as X and Facebook accounts when applicable.

If you see something missing, let us know by emailing [email protected].

On Sunday, Sept. 29, President Biden granted Gov. Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Tropical Storm Helene providing immediate federal help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, according to a press release.

“This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response,” said Gov. Cooper in the press release.

From information we have been able to gather as of Monday afternoon, 29 school districts and 12 community colleges are currently closed or holding remote instruction.

The full article can be accessed on our website.

How to apply for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Helene

North Carolina homeowners and renters in 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance, according to this press release.

FEMA stands for Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Homeowners and renters in 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 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply.

There are several ways to apply.

  1. Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov,
  2. Use the FEMA App, or
  3. 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.

You can read more here.

Ask & Answer | What K-12 and community college employees need to know about the State Health Plan’s switch to Aetna

Open enrollment for the new State Health Plan is now open.

Our last edition included the incorrect end date for open enrollment. As a reminder, here is the correct open enrollment period: Sept. 30 to Oct. 25, 2024. 

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, Aetna will be the State Health Plan’s third party administrator. If you are an educator or other state employee, keep reading to find everything you need to know.

What is the State Health Plan?

The plan provides health care coverage to more than 740,000 teachers, charter school employees, community college employees, other state employees, retirees, and dependents.

What do I need to do now?

During open enrollment, you will need to select your primary care provider (PCP). You will do this through an online process in eBenefits on the State Health Plan’s website. Starting today, this is where you will click to get started.

All educators will be automatically enrolled in the Base PPO Plan (70/30), which will have an $85 subscriber-only premium. You can reduce this premium by $60 to a $25 subscriber-only premium by completing the tobacco attestation.

During open enrollment, in addition to selecting your provider, you may enroll in the Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20) or reduce your monthly premium in either the Base PPO Plan (70/30) or Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20) by completing a tobacco attestation.

What if I have questions?

Here is EdNC’s guide to the new State Health Plan.

If you have questions, there is a bus and van tour that will be visiting locations across the state, including 19 of the 58 community colleges. Here is the complete list, including locations on the campuses and times.

Around NC

Connecting with loved ones | If you are trying to connect with missing family members or loved ones, call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from outside the state).

Roadway conditions | People are urged to stay off Western North Carolina roads so that emergency responders, utility crews, and desperately needed supplies can get through. According to a press release, 280 state-maintained roads remain closed including parts of Interstate 40 and Interstate 26. You can find current roadway conditions by visiting DriveNC.Gov.

Donating | To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate.

More ways to donate and help | Blue Ridge Public Radio has an extensive list for ways to help and donate. You can find that information here.

Other news from around the state:

Other higher education reads

What has happened when campuses shut down for other disasters? A coronavirus case study

This Hechinger Report from 2020 looks at how community colleges have historically responded to natural disasters.

The fires, hurricanes, floods and other emergencies that have been occurring with increasing frequency not only pose threats to lives and homes; at some colleges temporarily shut down by these disasters, they have decreased enrollment, slowed students’ progress toward graduation and deprived faculty and staff of income when they needed it most, causing some to jump ship.

Many of those same universities and colleges also became lifelines for students and for their larger communities after the disasters.

As hurricane rescue and recovery efforts continue, EdNC will continue to highlight our community colleges’ efforts to meet their community’s needs.

Emily Thomas

Emily Thomas is the Director of Postsecondary Attainment for EducationNC.