By james art 
Nearly 12,500 households in Allegany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties are slated to benefit from about $19 million in federal disaster relief grant funding.
The Biden administration said Thursday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a total of more than $200 million for about 121,000 households in the 39 counties declared eligible for disaster relief programs after Hurricane Helena.
Federal assistance to individuals may include advance funds to help with essentials such as food, water, baby formula, nursing supplies, and other emergency supplies.
A separate $192 million will help pay for debris removal and emergency protective measures in the affected counties, which also include Forsyth, Surry and Yadkin counties.
Another FEMA effort is putting about 3,700 families currently living in short-term rentals and hotels, through its Transitional Shelter Assistance Program, into a more stable living situation. More than 6,700 households in Western North Carolina have stayed in FEMA-funded hotels and shelters.
Individuals seeking disaster assistance are encouraged to apply as soon as possible at DisasterAssistance.gov, which FEMA says is the fastest way to start an application.
Individuals can apply through the FEMA app by calling 800-621-3362 or in person at a local Disaster Recovery Center. There are active centers in Boone, Jefferson and Sparta.
Separately, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments are working with accommodations affected by Helene to help them reopen safely.
Hotels and motels are encouraged to submit emergency operations plans to their local health department.
“We are working as quickly as possible to help businesses get back on their feet after the catastrophic damage left in Hurricane Helena’s wake,” state Health Secretary Cody Kinsley said in a statement.
“Hotels create jobs and bring people and much-needed tourism dollars to the community, and we are committed to helping Western North Carolina recover and rebuild.”
Accommodation establishments must have an approved source of power and electricity and also need an approved source of water for bathing, hand washing and laundry.
Other important elements include:
* The facility is free of sewers or waste water that accumulates or accumulates on the property
* The facility must be able to flush toilets or have an emergency plan for flushing toilets
* Any food or ice made with non-potable water will be discarded
* Water installations with a source of non-potable water, such as ice machines and water fountains, must be turned off with signs posted that the water installations cannot be used
“These reopening guidelines will help expedite the reopening of affected businesses and help facilitate the business and economic recovery process for the region during this important tourist season,” said Lynn Minges, president and CEO of NC Restaurant and Lodging Association.
The state Department of Public Health has launched a resource for hospitality operators to help with environmental health and safety requirements.
Operators can be contacted directly at [email protected] or by calling 919-707-5999.