Thoughts and prayers to those affected.
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It’s bad, folks.
Somewhere around 50% of the people in my town have had some sort of flood damage…I was incredibly fortunate that only my pool pump took a saltwater bath and needs to be replaced.
Even my mom and dad are tearing up sodden flooring and dragging waterlogged furniture to the curb.
And the storm was more than 100 miles from me.
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Thank you for checking in, @Sunshine842. So good to know that you are safe and sound.
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It’s epic and biblical, from what I see from the videos and photos and reports. My sister and her wife were able to drive from Black Mountain, NC, 10 miles east of Asheville, to Raleigh to stay with my mother and brother yesterday. Trip took hours longer because they had to go south and then east through Charlotte due to I 40 being completely closed.
Sunshine, if you and other locals, including Christina in Asheville, have suggestions for the charities that seem to be helping more efficiently and effectively, please let me know by DM or here. I’d like to send more than best wishes and thoughts!
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St Vincent de Paul seems to be leading the efforts locally. Here its mostly local churches and restaurants just working together to feed people
I cant speak to the folks in Asheville so Ill let rhe locals make those recommendations
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An acquaintance who lives in Greenville shared this vetted list from Blue Ridge Public Radio.
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My cousin and his wife live in Knoxville, and she has been pointing out how little info about the devastation in East Tennessee (especially isolated mountain towns) has been penetrating national news. Here are some resources for giving to that region.
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Thank you for sharing. I assume you’re at the forefront of helping those impacted.
Daytrip, an awesome-sounding inclusive bar/restaurant, was open for a mere 32 days before being destroyed by Helene.
Not a gift link, which I don’t think work for videos: https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/americas/100000009734942/hurricane-helene-asheville-destruction.html?smid=url-share
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That kinda comes across as passive aggressive. I don’t know if that’s your intent.
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I am sure people know already, but whatever or whoever you are donating to, make sure they are legit.
Even in times like these, criminals abound.
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As an AVL resident familiar with some of the relief orgs, particularly those who already do work in the community on a regular basis and reach the under-resourced, here are a few I would recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1FRN4FGDQ6GNR?ref_=list_d_wl_lfu_nav_3
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Great to hear from you, @ChristinaM. Really great. Your fellow Onions have been thinking of you.
Thank you for sharing this intel so those inclined can send more than just good thoughts (paraphrasing @Madrid from earlier on this thread)!
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Thanks so much Christina, exactly what I was looking for. The YMCA WNC Community Health looks awesome, so I donated there. I hope your family is doing as well as possible under the circumstances. Sounds like still no power and 200 people missing.
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Wonderful, thank you so much. We have fiber internet back but that’s it!
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HOW CAN I DONATE?
Cash donations are best. Look for local mutual aid, voluntary organizations, or philanthropies who are setting up disaster relief funds both for immediate needs and for medium/long-term recovery.
Appalachian Voices: https://appvoices.org/helene-relief/
Asheville Relief
Blue Ridge Public Radio: List: Ways to donate and help flood victims in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-09-28/list-ways-to-donate-and-help-flood-victims-in-western-north-carolina-after-hurricane-helene
Hispanic Federation: Support Latino Communities Affected by Helene https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wbD3h-ODEUvGxusTDVEYT1OtbDTC6R9a/view?usp=drive_link
NC Network of Grantmakers: NC Grantmakers | Disaster Relief and Recovery Resources
NC Community Foundation: NCCF encouraging donations to support western North Carolina https://www.nccommunityfoundation.org/news/help-western-nc-recover-from-hurricane-helene
https://bit.ly/wncheleneguide
If you do want to collect supplies: The most urgent needs right now are bottled water, canned or non-perishable food, and baby diapers/wipes. OR Make cleanup kits (“flood buckets”), with these items: https://umcmission.org/umcor-cleaning-kit/.
Look online for a local donation drive near you. Here’s a list for ENC.
Make an offer on https://volunteernc.app.needslist.co/issues/storm-helene or email sert@ncvoad.org.
“Disaster hay” and other needs/offers can be coordinated through https://www.ncagr.gov/emergency-programs/disaster-information or call 1-866-645-9403.
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https://homewardboundwnc.org/ is doing supply distribution and helping the unhoused.
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And here we effing go again. This one is bad.
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