On September 26, Hurricane Helene swept through parts of the Southeast leaving devastation in its wake, including significant damage to East Tennessee. While hurricanes rarely affect the region directly, the remnants of Helene brought heavy rains, flash flooding and high winds, causing widespread destruction. Communities were impacted by power outages, damaged homes, and infrastructure. In rural areas, fallen trees blocked roads, and the flooding affected local farms and businesses.
As many families are now displaced or dealing with the aftermath, the road to recovery is expected to be long. We are working with NAR to secure assistance from the Realtors® Relief Foundation (RRF). This nonprofit arm of the National Association of Realtors® has been instrumental in providing housing-related assistance to victims of disasters across the country. In East Tennessee, the RRF is offering direct financial support to individuals and families affected by Hurricane Helene.
APPLY FOR RRF ASSISTANCE
The application process is NOW OPEN. Click HERE to download the application. After completing the application and gathering the required documents, email them to . Applicants must live in the following counties: Johnson, Unicoi, Cocke, Hawkins, Washington, Greene, Grainger, Hamblen, and Carter counties. The deadline for the application process is December 1, 2024.
If you would like to make a donation to RRF, text “HeleneRelief24” to 71777. All donations made through Friday, October 11th will go directly to the victims of Hurricane Helene.
APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from individuals whose employment or self-employment was impacted by severe rainfall and flash flooding beginning on 09/26/2024, in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.
The assistance is available from 09/29/2024 and ends on 04/05/2025.
Applications from individuals who live in, work in, or travel through these counties must be submitted by 12/02/2024. They may start filing those applications at 6:00 p.m. CST on 10/03/2024.
How Can I Help?
Several of our local associations are raising money and donations towards those affected by the flooding. Check out the different local associations working to provide their communities with assistance and how you can get involved!
