People who need immediate resources or assistance should contact their local Emergency Management Agency: www.tn.gov/tema/prepare/regional-ema-contacts.html.
Farmers who need recovery resources should work through USDA at www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/hurricane. Farmers must register with FEMA to be eligible for USDA Farm Services Agency programs for livestock and crop loss. Call (800) 621-3362 or navigate to Home | disasterassistance.gov to register.
The Crisis Clean-Up Hotline (844) 965-1386 has been established for survivors to access free assistance with clean-up efforts.
If you or a loved one needs someone to talk to, there is a national Disaster Distress Helpline (800) 985-5990. It’s available 24/7 to all U.S. residents who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Learn more on their website.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation recommends using the TDOT Smartway app and website for current road closures and alternative routes. Learn more at TDOT SmartWay.
Survivors in Carter, Cocke, Green, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance for rental assistance, home repair, and personal property replacement, in addition to other uninsured or underinsured disaster losses.
Apply online anytime at disasterassistance.gov.
Apply by phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET. Multilingual operators are available.
Apply in person at a Multi-Agency Resource Center (details below).
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has established two Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) for individuals affected by Hurricane Helene. Each MARC will be staffed with federal, state, and regional partners to assist residents affected by the storm. TEMA is working to identify additional MARC locations.
The MARCs are open 7am to 7pm ET, Mon - Sat and Noon - 5pm on Sunday.
MARC - Elizabethton: 1749 Hwy 19E, Elizabethton, TN 37643
MARC - Jonesborough: 306 Forest Dr., Jonesborough, TN 37659
Produce Growers – See Resources for Human and Animal Food Producers Affected by Flooding, Guide to Assess Flood-Affected Crops and Food Safety for Flooded Farms for guidance. If you have additional questions, please email produce.safety@tn.gov or call (615) 837-5193
How to Help
Primary agricultural and animal needs are dog food, cat food, cat litter, sweet feed, cattle feed, goat feed, swine feed, rabbit feed, chicken feed, crack corn, square bales of hay, 5-gallon buckets, and water troughs. Donations of those supplies are being accepted at the following locations:
Bristol Motor Speedway
106 Nascar Blvd. Entrance 2, South Entrance | Bristol, TN 37620 | Hours: Daily 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Contact: Jeremy Richter (931) 644-2622
Items Accepted: livestock feed (all species), dog food, cat food, cat litter, water buckets and troughs, fencing supplies
Fender’s Farm
254 TN-107 | Jonesborough, TN 37659 | Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Contact: Shelby Blevins (423) 895-1015
Items Accepted: horse feed, cracked corn, sweet feed, livestock feed, 5 gallon water buckets and lids
Appalachian Fair Grounds
100 Lakeview St.| Gray, TN 37615| Call for hours
Contact: Joseph Redman (423) 833-1461 or Steven Huff (423) 620-1965
Items Accepted: livestock feed, agricultural supplies, hay (round bales and large loads of square)
Hamilton’s Farm
1964 Old Boones Creek Rd. | Johnson City, TN |Call for hours
Contact: Joseph Redman (423) 833-1461
Item Accepted: hay
Cocke County Fairgrounds
112 Fairgrounds Circle | Newport, TN 37821 | Call for hours
Contact: Alicia Payne (423) 237-0716 or
Sarah Orr (423) 237-8101
Items Accepted: livestock feed, hay
Wilson Livestock Market
695 Morrell Springs Rd. | Newport, TN 37821| Hours: 9am – Noon
Contact: Randy Hodge (865) 414-7801
Items Accepted: hay, fencing supplies
Erwin Moose Lodge
50 Jones Road | Erwin, TN 37650 | Call for hours
Contact: Doug Manson (423)-737-3651 or (423) 743-9955
Items Accepted: dog food, cat food, livestock feed
Johnson County Equine and Agriculture Association
5328 Hwy 67 | Mountain City, TN 37683 | Call for hours
Contact: Tony Randazzo (423) 607-1167 or Billy Ward (423) 895-3517
Items Accepted: see their Facebook page
Disaster relief questions should be directed to the Disaster Hotline (423) 830-2696 daily from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. ET. This hotline is available for community members, donors, and national or international organizations seeking information or requiring specific logistical considerations about disaster relief efforts.
For additional donation and volunteer information, visit www.tn.gov/tema/updates/hurricane-helene.html and click on “Volunteer and Donation Information.”
