by Western North Carolina got hit incredibly hard by the combination of a wet weather front that was followed a day later by Hurricane Helene. Some places received over 20 inches of rain total which has led to catastrophic flooding throughout the region. This includes northeastern Tennessee, the upstate of South Carolina, the Atlanta area, and certainly Florida in addition to us here in WNC.
The Complementary Spouse and I are OK and our house has received no damage. Fortunately, we are not close to any creeks and there are no large trees in our development. The road to our neighborhood is open again. The worst we face is having cleaning out the refrigerator. All in all, we are in a fortunate position unlike so many others in western NC – and elsewhere.
Others were not so fortunate. My friend Tim Glance of Old Grouch Military Surplus had three feet of water in his store from the Pigeon River. This was the first time his building has ever flooded in 120 years. I have written about his store in the past.
Power, cell, and internet are all out or sporadic at the best. The City of Asheville water system has been damaged and it provides service to more than those within the city limits. Water distribution sites have been set up. 40 people are reported killed in Buncombe County, 5 in Henderson County, and 4 in Haywood County. The death toll will undoubtedly rise as more bodies are found. The town of Chimney Rock has been washed away. Most of the town is now floating in Lake Lure.
Interstate 40, the main east-west artery into Western NC, is damaged in both directions and it will take months to repair the area washed out in the Pigeon River Gorge. The last time this happened in 2004, it took most of a year to finish the repairs.
I could go on and on with the pictures of the devastation but you get the idea. This leads to the question of how you can help. A number of organizations are already on the ground helping and I think the best thing would be donations to them.
The first organization that I will like to mention is Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Charlotte. I served on their Board of Directors for 7 years plus I was chair of their Asheville office advisory board. I know that your dollars won’t get wasted by donating to them.
Following up on this is this list provided by Blue Ridge Public Radio.
Flight-Based Relief
Hope Mill, Inc – Helicopters Dropping Relief
- Pilots are landing in areas of the mountains where road access is still cut off and/or where emergency crews have not yet reached with food and water.
- The funds are being used to purchase water and critical supplies by a business based in the Charlotte region. Helicopters are primarily staging and departing out of Hickory, N.C.
- BPR has confirmed the GoFundMe listed below is being managed by those directly involved in relief (the effort is also linked to the relief effort supported by Cletus McFarland, a helicopter pilot and YouTuber.).
- A group of independent pilots with helicopters have been dropping off donated water, food, and supplies throughout the region for several days.
GoFundMe: Support Hope Mill Inc’s Hurricane Relief
Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief
- Grass-roots organizers are collecting donations of supplies (and money) and staging at various Statesville Airport.
- There are drop-off points across North Carolina. For the latest, and to get involved, visit the group’s dedicated Facebook page.
Operation Airdrop
- The group is focusing operations on North Carolina after it aided Helene victims in Florida. Pilots and volunteers will deliver essential supplies and food to disaster-stricken areas in the mountains.
- For more information, visit the website.
Government-Led Relief
Buncombe County Government
- If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
- If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org
School-Based Support
The University of North Carolina System
- There are four UNC system colleges in Western North Carolina. System leaders shared the following funds, where donations may be sent to support affected students, faculty, and staff.
Appalachian State University Disaster Relief Fund
NCSSM-Morganton Helene Recovery Fund
UNC Asheville giving website (Select “UNC Asheville Fund” designation)
Western Carolina University Emergency Fund
Local Verified Groups
Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)
- A local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters.
- The group asks that you do not deliver supplies unannounced to their Swannanoa warehouse (they had to evacuate and are restoring services).
- The request is for financial donations online.
https://www.heartswithhands.org/ - Trucks with large loads of supplies (water, food, and more are listed here) should email info@heartswithhands.org to coordinate warehouse drop-off.
Manna FoodBank in Asheville
- The organization’s warehouse was prepped prior to the storm.
- Updates will be made available via the FoodBank’s website.
- There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate – including online. Go here to give money to the Manna FoodBank online.
BeLoved Asheville
- On-the-ground volunteers are collecting and distributing a wide array of supplies.
- Cash donations can be sent via:
Venmo: BeLoved-Asheville
CashApp: $BeLovedAsheville
Zelle: 828-412-2054 - Specific items are needed, including: food, bottled water, contractor-size trash bags, blankets, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, diapers and baby clothes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, shovels, brooms, gloves, coolers, propane, cook stoves, flashlights, batteries, fans, dehumidifiers, and generators.
- Volunteers are needed to help deliver supplies. Truck owners and truck drivers are needed.
- Drop-off and staging updates are available on the organization’s social media pages. BeLoved Asheville is located at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803.
- For volunteer info and more, visit the organization’s website.
Haywood Christian Ministry
- Western North Carolina’s largest food pantry, based in the Waynesville area.
- The group is distributing food on the ground and requesting donations to help with the emergency disaster response.
- For info and to donate, go here.
Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms – Asheville
- Donations of wipes, diapers, and rash cream are needed immediately.
- The organization is on the ground already and distributes to local families plus partner charities that serve families and babies.
- You can donate online or use the non-profit’s Amazon Wish List here.
Foothills Food Hub
- Working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute in McDowell County.
- Requesting monetary donations, which can be made online here.
Community Housing Coalition of Madison County
- The group will be helping fund emergency home repairs for Helene victims in Madison County.
- The request is for online donations. Go here for more information or to donate.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
- The non-profit helps residents connect to a wide array of resources via it’s 2-1-1 hotline. The local United Way plans to help with immediate natural disaster response and long-term support for flood victims.
- Donations can be made online here.
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
- The ministry helped run and provide shelter in Asheville and is partnered with the Red Cross. Donations help pay for motel and food vouchers for local residents and long-term support for those displaced.
- To help: Donate food, clothing, or funds at abccm.org/donations/ministry-fund/.
Homeward Bound in Asheville
- The organization provides supportive housing to the homeless community in Asheville and it distributed essentials and clothing as the storm approached.
- For more information on year-round work and to donate, visit Homeward Bound’s website.
Mountain Projects
- Historically the group has helped with emergency housing, including storm victims.
- Plans and information on response to Hurricane Helene were not available as the group is based in Waynesville, which was hit with flooding.
- For more, visit the organization’s website.
WNC Regional Livestock Center
- Based in Canton, the livestock center is working to help farmers and animals who were affected by flooding. You can donate toward helping local farmers who need to buy feed for animals. The center also helps supply fencing and other essentials.
- Contact: Yvonne Coburn with Civilian Disaster Response at 828-216-4496.
- More information is available here.
Democracy Green
- Already on the ground in Cleveland, Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, and Watauga counties. Updates available on the group’s Facebook page.
- Volunteers are needed: Call 910-813-3757.
- Supplies requested includes: water, non-perishable food, grills, charcoal briquettes and matches.
- As of Sept. 29, the drop-off point for supplies was: The Swatchworks 453 Oakhurst Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205. (Call ahead for large deliveries).
- Items accepted at the above address 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon-Thurs.
Flight-Based Relief
Hope Mill, Inc – Helicopters Dropping Relief
- Pilots are landing in areas of the mountains where road access is still cut off and/or where emergency crews have not yet reached with food and water.
- The funds are being used to purchase water and critical supplies by a business based in the Charlotte region. Helicopters are primarily staging and departing out of Hickory, N.C.
- BPR has confirmed the GoFundMe listed below is being managed by those directly involved in relief (the effort is also linked to the relief effort supported by Cletus McFarland, a helicopter pilot and YouTuber.).
- A group of independent pilots with helicopters have been dropping off donated water, food, and supplies throughout the region for several days.
GoFundMe: Support Hope Mill Inc’s Hurricane Relief
Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief
- Grass-roots organizers are collecting donations of supplies (and money) and staging at various Statesville Airport.
- There are drop-off points across North Carolina. For the latest, and to get involved, visit the group’s dedicated Facebook page.
Operation Airdrop
- The group is focusing operations on North Carolina after it aided Helene victims in Florida. Pilots and volunteers will deliver essential supplies and food to disaster-stricken areas in the mountains.
- For more information, visit the website.
Government-Led Relief
Buncombe County Government
- If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
- If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org
School-Based Support
The University of North Carolina System
- There are four UNC system colleges in Western North Carolina. System leaders shared the following funds, where donations may be sent to support affected students, faculty, and staff.
Appalachian State University Disaster Relief Fund
NCSSM-Morganton Helene Recovery Fund
UNC Asheville giving website (Select “UNC Asheville Fund” designation)
Western Carolina University Emergency Fund
Local Verified Groups
Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)
- A local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters.
- The group asks that you do not deliver supplies unannounced to their Swannanoa warehouse (they had to evacuate and are restoring services).
- The request is for financial donations online.
https://www.heartswithhands.org/ - Trucks with large loads of supplies (water, food, and more are listed here) should email info@heartswithhands.org to coordinate warehouse drop-off.
Manna FoodBank in Asheville
- The organization’s warehouse was prepped prior to the storm.
- Updates will be made available via the FoodBank’s website.
- There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate – including online. Go here to give money to the Manna FoodBank online.
BeLoved Asheville
- On-the-ground volunteers are collecting and distributing a wide array of supplies.
- Cash donations can be sent via:
Venmo: BeLoved-Asheville
CashApp: $BeLovedAsheville
Zelle: 828-412-2054 - Specific items are needed, including: food, bottled water, contractor-size trash bags, blankets, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, diapers and baby clothes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, shovels, brooms, gloves, coolers, propane, cook stoves, flashlights, batteries, fans, dehumidifiers, and generators.
- Volunteers are needed to help deliver supplies. Truck owners and truck drivers are needed.
- Drop-off and staging updates are available on the organization’s social media pages. BeLoved Asheville is located at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803.
- For volunteer info and more, visit the organization’s website.
Haywood Christian Ministry
- Western North Carolina’s largest food pantry, based in the Waynesville area.
- The group is distributing food on the ground and requesting donations to help with the emergency disaster response.
- For info and to donate, go here.
Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms – Asheville
- Donations of wipes, diapers, and rash cream are needed immediately.
- The organization is on the ground already and distributes to local families plus partner charities that serve families and babies.
- You can donate online or use the non-profit’s Amazon Wish List here.
Foothills Food Hub
- Working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute in McDowell County.
- Requesting monetary donations, which can be made online here.
Community Housing Coalition of Madison County
- The group will be helping fund emergency home repairs for Helene victims in Madison County.
- The request is for online donations. Go here for more information or to donate.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
- The non-profit helps residents connect to a wide array of resources via it’s 2-1-1 hotline. The local United Way plans to help with immediate natural disaster response and long-term support for flood victims.
- Donations can be made online here.
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
- The ministry helped run and provide shelter in Asheville and is partnered with the Red Cross. Donations help pay for motel and food vouchers for local residents and long-term support for those displaced.
- To help: Donate food, clothing, or funds at abccm.org/donations/ministry-fund/.
Homeward Bound in Asheville
- The organization provides supportive housing to the homeless community in Asheville and it distributed essentials and clothing as the storm approached.
- For more information on year-round work and to donate, visit Homeward Bound’s website.
Mountain Projects
- Historically the group has helped with emergency housing, including storm victims.
- Plans and information on response to Hurricane Helene were not available as the group is based in Waynesville, which was hit with flooding.
- For more, visit the organization’s website.
WNC Regional Livestock Center
- Based in Canton, the livestock center is working to help farmers and animals who were affected by flooding. You can donate toward helping local farmers who need to buy feed for animals. The center also helps supply fencing and other essentials.
- Contact: Yvonne Coburn with Civilian Disaster Response at 828-216-4496.
- More information is available here.
Democracy Green
- Already on the ground in Cleveland, Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, and Watauga counties. Updates available on the group’s Facebook page.
- Volunteers are needed: Call 910-813-3757.
- Supplies requested includes: water, non-perishable food, grills, charcoal briquettes and matches.
- As of Sept. 29, the drop-off point for supplies was: The Swatchworks 453 Oakhurst Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205. (Call ahead for large deliveries).
- Items accepted at the above address 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon-Thurs.
Flight-Based Relief
Hope Mill, Inc – Helicopters Dropping Relief
- Pilots are landing in areas of the mountains where road access is still cut off and/or where emergency crews have not yet reached with food and water.
- The funds are being used to purchase water and critical supplies by a business based in the Charlotte region. Helicopters are primarily staging and departing out of Hickory, N.C.
- BPR has confirmed the GoFundMe listed below is being managed by those directly involved in relief (the effort is also linked to the relief effort supported by Cletus McFarland, a helicopter pilot and YouTuber.).
- A group of independent pilots with helicopters have been dropping off donated water, food, and supplies throughout the region for several days.
GoFundMe: Support Hope Mill Inc’s Hurricane Relief
Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief
- Grass-roots organizers are collecting donations of supplies (and money) and staging at various Statesville Airport.
- There are drop-off points across North Carolina. For the latest, and to get involved, visit the group’s dedicated Facebook page.
Operation Airdrop
- The group is focusing operations on North Carolina after it aided Helene victims in Florida. Pilots and volunteers will deliver essential supplies and food to disaster-stricken areas in the mountains.
- For more information, visit the website.
Government-Led Relief
Buncombe County Government
- If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
- If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org
School-Based Support
The University of North Carolina System
- There are four UNC system colleges in Western North Carolina. System leaders shared the following funds, where donations may be sent to support affected students, faculty, and staff.
Appalachian State University Disaster Relief Fund
NCSSM-Morganton Helene Recovery Fund
UNC Asheville giving website (Select “UNC Asheville Fund” designation)
Western Carolina University Emergency Fund
Local Verified Groups
Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)
- A local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters.
- The group asks that you do not deliver supplies unannounced to their Swannanoa warehouse (they had to evacuate and are restoring services).
- The request is for financial donations online.
https://www.heartswithhands.org/ - Trucks with large loads of supplies (water, food, and more are listed here) should email info@heartswithhands.org to coordinate warehouse drop-off.
Manna FoodBank in Asheville
- The organization’s warehouse was prepped prior to the storm.
- Updates will be made available via the FoodBank’s website.
- There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate – including online. Go here to give money to the Manna FoodBank online.
BeLoved Asheville
- On-the-ground volunteers are collecting and distributing a wide array of supplies.
- Cash donations can be sent via:
Venmo: BeLoved-Asheville
CashApp: $BeLovedAsheville
Zelle: 828-412-2054 - Specific items are needed, including: food, bottled water, contractor-size trash bags, blankets, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, diapers and baby clothes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, shovels, brooms, gloves, coolers, propane, cook stoves, flashlights, batteries, fans, dehumidifiers, and generators.
- Volunteers are needed to help deliver supplies. Truck owners and truck drivers are needed.
- Drop-off and staging updates are available on the organization’s social media pages. BeLoved Asheville is located at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803.
- For volunteer info and more, visit the organization’s website.
Haywood Christian Ministry
- Western North Carolina’s largest food pantry, based in the Waynesville area.
- The group is distributing food on the ground and requesting donations to help with the emergency disaster response.
- For info and to donate, go here.
Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms – Asheville
- Donations of wipes, diapers, and rash cream are needed immediately.
- The organization is on the ground already and distributes to local families plus partner charities that serve families and babies.
- You can donate online or use the non-profit’s Amazon Wish List here.
Foothills Food Hub
- Working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute in McDowell County.
- Requesting monetary donations, which can be made online here.
Community Housing Coalition of Madison County
- The group will be helping fund emergency home repairs for Helene victims in Madison County.
- The request is for online donations. Go here for more information or to donate.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
- The non-profit helps residents connect to a wide array of resources via it’s 2-1-1 hotline. The local United Way plans to help with immediate natural disaster response and long-term support for flood victims.
- Donations can be made online here.
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
- The ministry helped run and provide shelter in Asheville and is partnered with the Red Cross. Donations help pay for motel and food vouchers for local residents and long-term support for those displaced.
- To help: Donate food, clothing, or funds at abccm.org/donations/ministry-fund/.
Homeward Bound in Asheville
- The organization provides supportive housing to the homeless community in Asheville and it distributed essentials and clothing as the storm approached.
- For more information on year-round work and to donate, visit Homeward Bound’s website.
Mountain Projects
- Historically the group has helped with emergency housing, including storm victims.
- Plans and information on response to Hurricane Helene were not available as the group is based in Waynesville, which was hit with flooding.
- For more, visit the organization’s website.
WNC Regional Livestock Center
- Based in Canton, the livestock center is working to help farmers and animals who were affected by flooding. You can donate toward helping local farmers who need to buy feed for animals. The center also helps supply fencing and other essentials.
- Contact: Yvonne Coburn with Civilian Disaster Response at 828-216-4496.
- More information is available here.
Deploying Relief, Volunteers
American Red Cross of North Carolina
- At the storm’s peak, the organization opened more than 15 shelter locations in Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.
- You can volunteer to serve with the American Red Cross or you can donate blood, which assists medical facilities in responding to disasters.
- You can make an online donation or give by texting Helene to 90999.
- More information is available here.
Americares Emergency Response Team
- The group is deploying to North Carolina, starting in Asheville.
- Donations to Americares Hurricane Helene Relief Fund will support health services for survivors, such as deliveries of medicines and relief supplies and support for damaged health facilities. The group partners with local clinics.
- For information and to donate, go here.
Salvation Army of the Carolinas
- The organization has historically worked to provide meals and support to residents and rescue personnel in WNC communities hard-hit by disasters.
- For information on donating and more, visit the Salvation Army of the Carolinas’ page with Hurricane Helene updates.
Baptists on Mission
- North Carolina Disaster Response volunteers will serve in communities as conditions allow. If you are interested in serving in flood recovery, chainsaw and temporary roof repair, you can volunteer on the organization’s website.
- Donations are accepted online and by check. Click here for more.
Samaritan’s Purse
- The organization is responding to the High Country (northwestern North Carolina) and eastern Tennessee. The community of Boone, where Samaritan’s Purse, is based has been deeply impacted.
- Volunteers are needed for deployment starting Sept. 30.
- Donations are accepted online. Click here for more info.
North Carolina Community Foundation
- The foundation’s disaster fund can be activated after natural disasters in the state.
- Plans and information are pending. For more information, visit the website.
Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina
- The organization plans to deliver items to flood victims in Western North Carolina.
- Monetary contributions also will help relocate families with foster children to secure accommodations, such as hotels or AirBnBs.
- Item drop-off locations will be announced on the group’s Facebook page here.
- To make an online donation, visit the alliance’s website.
Team Rubicon
- The organization is responding with route clearance teams in South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee and is planning response operations in Buncombe County.
- Volunteers are needed for deployment starting immediately. Click here to sign up.
- Donations are accepted online. Click here to fund the Hurricane Helene response.
Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)
- The group is a non-profit arts service organization that provides craft artists with support and resources for disaster and emergency relief.
- The organization is accepting donations that will help Helene victims in WNC, where there is a dense craft-artist population.
- To learn more or donate, go here.
Water Mission
- The group is starting in Boone and will take aid to the hardest-hit areas of Western North Carolina.
- Relief items from the Christian engineering non-profit include: generators, supplies, and water treatment equipment.
- To donate and learn, go here.
Mercy Chefs
- The organization is deploying to Western North Carolina to serve prepared meals to volunteers on the ground, first responders, and community members stranded by the disaster.
- To learn more and donate, go here.
Truly a horror story for y’all. Prayers for all!