In the wake of Hurricane Helene, organizations that serve victims of natural disasters are continuing to provide updated resources. The National Consumer Law Center has updated some of its natural disaster resources, including free publications for advocates assisting victims of natural disaster and others working to rebuild. In Tennessee, the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services' website Help4TN and helpline 844-HELP4TN are always available and have specific resources and legal support for storm survivors. Lawyers from across the state are invited to complete this online form to volunteer to help disaster survivors. The TBA Disaster Resources page offers general information for those impacted by disasters, as well as those seeking to provide assistance. The TBA's Helene Disaster Response page has information and resources specific to this disaster.

Gov. Bill Lee has unveiled the Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program, a $100 million fund to directly serve the health and well-being of Tennesseans in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Counties eligible for assistance include Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington. “Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster for Tennessee, and many local communities don’t have the resources to recover on their own,” Lee said. “Federal dollars will be available later, but these communities need immediate relief. Tennessee’s record of fiscal conservatism has placed us in a strong financial position to make government work for the people and step up to help in this time of need.” Of the total amount, $35 million is available to address water and wastewater system damage, while $65 million is available for dangerous debris removal.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett has announced election updates for six counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. In Carter County, two election day polling places have temporarily changed. In Cocke County, the election commission has moved and early voting will take place at a new location. In Greene County, all locations are expected to be open by Election Day but voters are encouraged to monitor road conditions for possible closures. In Johnson County, officials are monitoring one polling place for access issues. In Unicoi County, early and election day voting locations have been updated. In Washington County, election officials are monitoring absentee ballots sent to affected areas. Voters can track their ballot status online or call 877-850-4959.

Gov. Bill Lee has announced that three more counties — Claiborne, Grainger and Sullivan — have been approved for FEMA’s public assistance program. Public assistance helps state and local governments in debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, restoring public infrastructure and hazard mitigation for future disasters. Several counties also received approval for permanent work assistance. The TBA Disaster Resources page offers general information for those impacted by disasters, as well as those seeking to provide assistance. The TBA's Helene Disaster Response page has information and resources specific to this disaster.

Gov. Bill Lee has announced tax relief measures for residents and businesses in eight counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. Residents in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties can receive a sales tax refund of up to $2,500 on essential purchases for repairs, while all taxpayers in those areas will have extended deadlines to file and pay certain taxes until May 1, 2025. Additionally, the department will extend the franchise tax Schedule G refund filing deadline for businesses located in the counties to May 1. The department also will approve, on a case-by-case basis, tax extension requests from affected taxpayers for other taxes. Get details in a press release.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s office has released new information, highlighting resources available for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and ways Tennesseans can serve. Information provided on the webpage includes instructions for donating items to the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center, now located at the Bristol Motor Speedway, links to First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves website for volunteer opportunities, and specific information about helping in Cocke and Greene counties. For those who cannot travel to East Tennessee, the site also offers a range of ways to help virtually from a distance. Finally, the page has resources for storm survivors, including information about shelters, disaster and crisis clean-up hotlines, and links to relief agencies including Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters and the American Red Cross.

A Newport attorney is helping Cocke County residents navigate the FEMA assistance process after Hurricane Helene. Candice Mendez, a local resident herself, has been assisting Cocke County residents with registering for federal aid. With her legal background and experience helping Hurricane Katrina survivors, Mendez organized two clinics this past weekend. She tells News 6 that an additional clinic will be held this week on Wednesday at Bridgeport Elementary School. Lawyers interested in helping should contact Mendez at 865-474-0380 or Cmendez.law@gmail.com. FEMA is offering initial assistance of $750 to qualified applicants in Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, Carter and Washington counties. The TBA Disaster Resources page offers general information for those impacted by disasters, as well as those seeking to provide assistance. The TBA's Helene Disaster Response page has information and resources specific to this disaster.

Tennesseans whose job was affected by Hurricane Helene can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), according to the Tennessee Department of Labor (TDOL) and Workforce Development. WSMV 4 News reports that individuals can apply regardless of whether federal DUA has been approved yet. Those receiving state unemployment should also apply for DUA to be eligible for additional federal benefits. For more information or to apply, visit the TDOL website.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has activated a limited disaster plan for trial courts in four judicial districts impacted by severe flooding from Hurricane Helene. The order extends deadlines for filings, statutes of limitation and certain court orders by 45 days, from Sept. 26 to Nov. 12. Orders of protection and temporary injunctions that would otherwise expire between those dates are now extended until Nov. 12. This action follows emergency declarations by Gov. Bill Lee and President Joe Biden that an emergency exists in the state of Tennessee, including parts of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Judicial Districts, according to a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Hurricane Helene has become one of the deadliest storms in the U.S., with over 200 deaths and hundreds still missing across six states, according to the Washington Post. The American Bar Association shared updates and ways to help across the entire region. The TBA continues to work closely with Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS), other partner organizations and government agencies on the provision of free civil legal services for those affected by Helene, including legal clinics. In Tennessee, the TALS website Help4TN and helpline 844-HELP4TN are always available and have specific resources and legal support for storm survivors. Lawyers from across the state are invited to complete this online form to volunteer to help disaster survivors. The TBA Disaster Resources page offers general information for those impacted by disasters, as well as those seeking to provide assistance. The TBA's Helene Disaster Response page has information and resources specific to this disaster.