Just a few weeks ago, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, leaving a trail of devastation as it moved up the coast, impacting dozens of communities with unprecedented damage – some of those communities residing in Western North Carolina. Due to its unique terrain, water flow, and infrastructure – these mountain towns had no way to prepare for a storm of this magnitude.
Hurricane Helene has caused over 200 fatalities, with more than 600 people missing and hundreds of thousands of people still without power. Here are some informational resources to learn more about the devastating impact of the storm, as well as ways you can support impacted communities.
Informational Resources
- Washington Post: “How Helene became a ‘worst case scenario’”
- North Carolina Governor: “Hurricane Helene Recovery progresses in Western North Carolina”
- WCNC: “Chimney Rock Unrecognizable after Helene’s Rampage”
Ways to Support Impacted Communities
- Educate yourself and inspire others by raising awareness
- Donate to relief centers:
- Find a local donation drive/dropoff near you, necessities are:
- Non-perishable food
- Bottled water
- Hygiene products
- Cleaning supplies
- Register to volunteer at nc.gov/volunteernc or www.unitedwaync.org
Want to learn more? The Federal Emergency Management Agency has published a resource on how to find credible information from a trusted source.