This image from Facebook shows the extensive damage to roads throughout the western North Carolina region from Hurricane Helene.
Early in the morning on Friday, September 27, Western North Carolina was struck by Hurricane Helene. While having downgraded from a Category 4 to a Tropical Storm by the time it hit the southern Appalachian region, Helene still moved with wind gusts that peaked from 45 to 60 miles per hour. Combined with the constant rainfall that saturated much of the grounds in the mountains and filled rivers and dams past their breaking points, the results were deadly.
As reported by NBC News October 3, at least 215 people have been confirmed dead as a result of the devastation incurred by the hurricane. Where some businesses and residential neighborhoods used to be, only debris and mounds of runoff mud mixed in with foundations remain.
Whole communities are still scattered throughout the region, stretching out past Asheville into small towns like Newland, Elk River, Buck Mountain, Whitaker Branch, Jonas Ridge, Crabtree, Black Mountain, Plum Tree and many others, some of which may now be unrecognizable. Helene originally formed off the Yucatan Peninsula, eventually making its way across the Gulf of Mexico before reaching Category 4 status and slamming into the coast of a town called Perry, Florida. After leaving a trail of disaster throughout the southeast, it eventually stalled and dissipated over Kentucky, according to the site weather.gov. It has since been recognized as the worst natural disaster to hit since Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005.
In response to the ongoing developments in the fallout from Helene, residents from around North Carolina have taken it upon themselves to pitch in by gathering and transporting supplies, helping to locate survivors that are stranded throughout the Appalachian region and clear the areas that had been affected. Along with many local efforts, non-profits like Operation Airdrop and the Red Cross are utilizing their resources to run supplies and give aid to anyone in need impacted in the widespread area.
In case you live there or you’re already on the scene to help
In case you’re a resident of western North Carolina or there to help, there are a number of resources for you to turn to for help. World Central Kitchen (WCK) is one of several disaster relief organizations that are in Asheville providing free food and supplies. WCK is distributing free meals at Bear’s Smokehouse in the city’s downtown area and will be setting up additional locations in the region in the days to come. According to The Asheville Citizen Times, other restaurants in the region working with WCK include Cúrate, Chai Pani Restaurant Group, Mission Pizza, Good Hot Fish and The Market Place.
Another significantly important effort helping out in western North Carolina is the North Carolina Troopers Association (NCTA). The Salisbury-based organization has set up a mobile kitchen unit to feed first responders and residents in need. If you’re interested in volunteering go to this sign up genius link. Monetary donations are still needed, as well, to purchase food to cook. Visit www.nctroopers.org for more details on donating financial aid.
Highway I-40 is partially collapsed and many state, town and rural roads have been completely destroyed by the storm. With multiple agencies and volunteers already working together to tackle challenges in the region, others interested in helping with search and rescue and cleanup are advised to reach out to state level authorities before attempting travel to the region. There are alternate ways to provide aid, through donation of needed items or financial means, to those in Western North Carolina in need.
Below is a list of businesses, local groups, and events around North Carolina that are accepting donations to take them to the western region of the state:
Operation Airdrop
On Friday, October 4, the non-profit Operation Airdrop gathered supplies at the Walmart by Concord Mills, starting at 8 a.m. and continuing through 5 p.m.
Walmart – Concord Mills
5825 Thunder Rd NW, Concord, NC
For donations after Friday, Operation Airdrop has listed a few locations and contacts to get in touch with:
Maggie Valley Police Department
61 Summit Dr., Maggie Valley, NC
Contact: Chris Anthony (828-246-7969)
West Jefferson – Musicians Mission of Mercy / Compassionate Commissary
20 E Ashe St., West Jefferson, NC
Contact: Catherine Steele (828-434-8888)
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
61 Terminal Dr #1, Fletcher, NC 28732
Appalachian State, Hickory Campus
800 17th St NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Ground Force Humanitarian Aid – SAFE Camp is being set up in Spruce Pine, where additional support is needed. Sign-ups for volunteering are at Volunteer.GoCajunNavy.org.
American Red Cross
One of Charlotte’s local stations, WCNC, has partnered with the Red Cross in order to help gather monetary donations to be used to help those affected by Helene. https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/wcnc-pub.html/
Donations can also be made via phone at:
1-800-435-7669
TDD Operator: 1-800-220-4095
Local Breweries in Charlotte
Breweries located in Charlotte have put their efforts together in order to transport goods to Western NC for the foreseeable future. These locations are:
Great Wagon Distillery: Charlotte & Waxhaw Locations
– 610 Anderson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
– 122 W North Main St, Waxhaw, NC 28173
Divine Barrel Brewing
– 3701 N Davidson St Suite #203, Charlotte, NC 28205
Resident Culture Brewing Company
– 2101 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Town Brewing Company
– 800 Grandin Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Triple C Brewing Company
– 2900 Griffith St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Local Events in Charlotte
Charlotte venues and performers are putting on local concerts throughout the weekend in order to raise funds and take donated items. Some of the venues and performers include:
October 5
– Visart Video, 3104 Eastway Drive: Made’s Playlist – A Curated Showcase feat. Julian Argo, 6 Cardinal, DDA Tink, Aaron Black, Suspenseful Music Playing and Scottie B. at 6:30 p.m.
– Blackbox, 421 East Sugar Creek Road: Western North Carolina Disaster Relief Fundraiser at 10 p.m.
October 6
– The Evening Muse, 3227 North Davidson Street: Sam On Someday w/ Special Guest Matt Tedder at 7 p.m.
Additional material was added to this story by Qnotes Staff.