On Friday morning, after already receiving as much as 12 inches of rain in some areas leading up to Tropical Storm Helene, Western North Carolina was deluged by 14 more inches of rain combined with up to 45 mph winds. All of this combined caused many deaths, missing people, stranded and isolated people, massive flooding, landslides, destruction of homes and businesses as well as power outages, no water service, loss of internet, and phone service. It all has been terrifying for so many people.
Immediately after the storm passed, NC residents began searching for loved ones, assessing the damage to their homes or trying to find shelter because their homes were destroyed, and making sure friends and loved ones were okay.
The area sounded the alarm and began work to restore power, clear trees, provide water, and help their neighbors. The testament to how resilient and giving the people of WNC are. To this day, since Sept. 27th to Oct. 4th, people have been working hard to clean up, make roads accessible, rescue people still trapped, and volunteer to help all over the area. Trucks from all over North America, utility trucks, trucks bringing supplies, water and fuel, showed up to help. Emergency personnel have been everywhere saving lives. Local businesses have been doing their part to hand out supplies, food and water for people in need. The community of WNC is coming together to insure everyone is going to make it through this tragedy as best as they can. It has been amazing to witness and be a part. Mountain Strong!!
Below is the document I took from the French Broad River Brewery's Instagram ( frenchbroadriverbrewery )which has a few links and info to a few area organizations you can donate to help the people affected by this storm.
DONATE MONEY:
Please donate to local organizations who are
currently on the ground working in the community
Donate to help get supplies and care to senior citizens that are stuck in place:
Asheville angels delivering aid to seniors
pre-opsolutions.com/asheville-angels/
Support Buncombe:
BELOVED ASHEVILLE
BeLovedAsheville
Venmo: @BeLoved-Asheville
Support Hot Springs:
FRIENDS OF THE HOT SPRINGS LIBRARY
www.friendsofhotspringslibrary.org/product/donation-for-town-of-hot-springs/4?cs=true&cst=custom
Support Buncombe:
ASHEVILLE DREAM CENTER
ashevilledreamcenter.org/
Support Buncombe:
PANSY COLLECTIVE
Support hot meals all around WNC:
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN
Support hot meals and supplies in small communities (swannanoa, black mountain, etc.)
BOUNTY AND SOUL
bountyandsoul.org/
Support MARSHALL:
MARSHALL REFUGEES MUTUAL AID.
VENMO: @CATHERINE-SIRAVANTHA
Support Hot Springs and Marshall, NC:
WNC RURAL ORGANIZING AND RESILIENCE (ROAR)
LOCAL ORGANIZATION DISTRIBUTING WATER AND SUPPLIES, ALSO SETTING UP SUPPLY STATIONS IN HOT SPRINGS AND MARSHALL.
PAYPAL:RURALORGANIZINGANDRESILIENCE@GMAIL.COM
Support 15 OLD FORT small businesses rebuild.
www.gofundme.com/f/support-our-resilient-community-rebuilding-fund?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZOSvWaSCFPR2xYkOgwYNTPObTbWt05mA7-N0omutiwnuB54FdAjYbU3BA_aem_MUFXaWTvb4VEryZsgqTqeA
Support Barnardsville:
gofund.me/a2515513
Disaster Relief Fund
- WNC Disaster Relief Fund
(https: //www.ncdisasterrelief.com)
Samaritan's Purse
www.samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-those-in-helenes-path
Donate to operations to air drop supplies to people who are in inaccessible areas:
OPERATION AIRDROP
@opairdrop
operationairdrop.betterworld.org/campaigns/operation-helene