Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday night as a Category 4 storm, devastating Florida before moving through Georgia and into the Carolinas.
Western North Carolina has been hit hardest, facing what officials are now calling a “1,000-year flood,” causing landslides, road collapses, widespread property destruction, and death.
Entire towns, including most of Chimney Rock, NC and Marshall, NC have been essentially leveled by rushing debris-filled flood waters.
The storm is blamed for at least 11 deaths so far, and over 416,000 people still left without power (via PowerOutage.us).
Many roads, including major highways like I-40, will likely be shut down for months given the sheer scale of their collapse. In Asheville, officials warn that restoring water systems could take weeks as entire streets remain submerged under floodwaters.
Meteorologist Ryan Hall posted one of the most accurate summaries of the situation in Western NC, saying: “It’s quite possible the worst of the damage has yet to be documented / reported in rural western NC. Helene will be remembered as one of the most devastating storms of the modern era. Many places have been geographically altered & the rebuilding process will take a lifetime.”
It’s quite possible the worst of the damage has yet to be documented / reported in rural western NC. Helene will be remembered as one of the most devastating storms of the modern era. Many places have been geographically altered & the rebuilding process will take a lifetime.
— Ryan Hall, Y’all (@ryanhallyall) September 28, 2024
Recovery efforts are underway, with local and federal officials, alongside the National Guard, working to deliver essential supplies to the hardest-hit areas and search for an undetermined number of missing individuals.
Rescue teams, nonprofits, state agencies, and community-led efforts are now asking for everyone’s help to contribute manpower, money, and supplies. Here are ways you can;
#1 Volunteer your time:
– Samaritan’s Purse Volunteer Signup
– Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer Signup
– North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
#2 Donate your money:
– Red Cross
– Salvation Army of The Carolinas
– JAARS
– Samaritan’s Purse
– Baptists on Mission
– Americares Helene Relief Effort
– Community Housing Coalition (CHC) of Madison County
– BeLoved Asheville
– Hope Mill Inc’s Hurricane Relief
#3 Donate supplies:
– Operation Airdrop
– Foster Family Alliance of NC
– Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
– NC Mountains Emergency Response Facebook Group
Please share additional resources and rescue efforts in the comments below.
