While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings. Susan Lewis of Charlotte, North Carolina, got lucky when Hurricane Helene hit in September. While other state residents faced devastating flooding, Lewis says she only suffered a cracked window – a $200 repair job. Still, the 74-year-old lives on Social Security, so when she heard FEMA was offering assistance after Helene, she applied for funding to fix it.