Hurricane Helene-relief grants available for Soldiers, retired Soldiers, Army Families

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UPDATE (0900 EST, Sept. 30): Those located at Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, should call the Red Cross (1-877-272-7337) for AER assistance. The installation has experienced widespread downed trees and power outages, and will remain closed through Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Army Emergency Relief | Sept. 25, 2024

Army Emergency Relief Headquarters approved disaster assistance to eligible individuals impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Tropical storm and hurricane warnings are in effect due to the large size of Helene, according to the National Weather Service. There is a danger of life threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida peninsula and Florida Big Bend.

Devastating hurricane force winds are expected across portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia, where the core of Helene moves inland. Preparations to protect life and property should be completed by early Thursday, since tropical storm conditions are expected to begin within these areas.

Because of Helene’s expected fast forward speed, damaging and life threatening wind gusts are expected to penetrate well inland over portions of the southeastern United States, including the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians. Considerable and potentially life-threatening flash in urban flooding is expected across portions of Northwestern and northern Florida, the southeast Southern Appalachians and Upper Tennessee Valley on Wednesday through Friday. This includes the risk of landslides across the southern Appalachians, widespread minor to moderate river flooding is likely and isolated major river flooding is possible, according to the NWS.

Eligible Army personnel may be provided financial assistance to assist with expenses associated with basic essential needs to sustain oneself during and after the storm.

Those eligible include:

  • Soldiers on active duty and their eligible Family members
  • Soldiers retired from active duty because of longevity and their eligible Family members
  • Retired Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers receiving retired pay and their Family members
  • Medically retired Soldiers and their dependents, including those placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List or Temporary Disability Retirement List
  • Surviving spouses and children of Soldiers who died while on active duty (including those on Title 10 Orders) or in an eligible retired status
  • Members of the Reserve Component of the Army (National Guard and Army Reserve under Title 10 U.S.C) on continuous active duty for more than 30 consecutive days and their eligible Family members

Additionally, disaster assistance eligibility has been extended to individuals who have been impacted by the Hurricane Francine.  These individuals are normally not eligible for AER assistance:

  • “Grey Area” retired Soldiers of the Reserve Components (Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve)
  • Title 10, Title 32, and TPU Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers who are not mobilized
  • Title 10, Title 32, and TPU Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers mobilized for less than 30 consecutive days
  • Title 10, Title 32, and TPU Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers activated in support of hurricane relief efforts

How to get help:

  • Find an AER office within 50 miles of your location
    • Fort Johnson, Louisiana: 337-531-1957
    • Fort Campbell, Kentucky: 270-798-5518
    • Fort Novosel, Alabama: 334-255-2341
    • Fort Jackson, South Carolina: 803-751-5256
    • Fort Moore, Georgia: 706-545-4043
    • Fort Stewart, Georgia: 912-767-5058
  • Those who aren’t located near an AER office, but are located within 50 miles of a Navy or Marine Corps base can reach out to that installation’s Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
  • Outside the 50-mile radius of an Army installation or Navy/Marine Corps base: contact the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337. AER distributes emergency financial assistance through the Red Cross where or when an AER office is not available.

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