CANTON, N.C. — A flood relief benefit will be held for Haywood County next month in response to damage sustained from Tropical Storm Fred. 

The free event, Grit and Grace, is set to happen Saturday, October 2 at Sorrells Street Park in Canton from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

"Recovery is more than building back homes and businesses. It can include mourning," Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers  posted. "It can include forgiveness. It can also include celebrating our common joys and heritage. 

Flooding from Fred damaged more than 680 homes and killed six people in western North Carolina on August 17. 

"This concert will be another step into our recovery," Smathers said of the event. "I want to thank all the members of Balsam Range, the performers, the sponsors, and the vendors who will come together to raise money for the ones who lost so much. I look forward you seeing you on October 2nd back in "not just another Papertown, but the one that I call home."

President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration in response to the storm that covers people in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties.

The declaration means federal funding can assist with temporary housing, home repairs and low-cost loans to help cover losses of uninsured property in the worst-hit counties.

Federal money will also be available to help local, state and tribal governments and nonprofits for emergency repairs or to replace facilities damaged in the storm in Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Madison, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey counties. 

Gov. Roy Cooper requested the federal disaster designation on Aug. 27.