How You Can Help Victims of Hurricane Helene: Channels for Relief and the Ongoing Efforts in North Carolina

Hurricane Helene has left a path of destruction across the U.S., displacing thousands of families, flooding homes, and disrupting entire communities. The sheer scale of the damage has overwhelmed local resources and pushed relief efforts to the brink. Many communities are offering to help victims of Hurricane Helene, but still without basic necessities like food, water, and power. While some aid is arriving, there’s a long road ahead for those affected by the storm.

Hurricane Helene has devastated Asheville and surrounding areas in Western North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, causing severe flooding, displacing thousands, and overwhelming local resources.

Communities are struggling with food, water, and power shortages, and aid has been slow due to impassable roads and logistical delays. Emergency shelters are filling up, and more support is urgently needed.

Please Consider Supporting Hurricane Helene Disaster Victims

Limited Help Coming In: What’s Happening on the Ground?

Though national and local authorities are mobilized, the immense destruction is hindering relief efforts. Asheville, especially Buncombe County, has been hardest hit, with bridges and homes washed away. Many rural towns are isolated, making it challenging to get aid to those in need. The immediate demand for essentials like food, clean water, medical supplies, and shelter is pushing local relief organizations to their limits. The response gap means more help is urgently needed to provide immediate relief to the affected families.

Adding to the urgency, the region’s mountainous terrain has made rescue operations even more difficult. Landslides have blocked several key roads, leaving entire communities cut off from outside assistance. In some areas, emergency crews are resorting to helicopters to deliver critical supplies, but these operations are limited by weather conditions and fuel shortages. As time passes, the situation becomes more dire, with vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with medical needs, requiring immediate help to survive the aftermath of this disaster.

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How You Can Help: Donation Channels and Support Initiatives

If you’re looking to contribute to the relief efforts in North Carolina, your donation can make a big difference.

Here are some trusted organizations actively working on the ground to help:

Community Foundations of Western North Carolina:

Supports localized relief efforts for Asheville and surrounding communities. Donate here.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County: United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is actively involved in Hurricane Helene relief efforts, providing critical support to those affected in the region. They are focused on meeting urgent needs like shelter, food, and medical assistance for displaced families, while also coordinating with local authorities and other organizations to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable communities. Donations to United Way help victims of Hurricane Helene, bolster these efforts and provide ongoing support for long-term recovery.. Donate here.

Go Fund Me: Meredith O’Rourke has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the victims of Hurricane Helene, focusing on providing immediate relief to those impacted by the storm’s devastation. The funds raised will go toward essentials like food, water, and shelter for families in affected areas, particularly in North Carolina, where the damage has been extensive. Contributions will help bridge the gap as communities work to recover and rebuild. Donations, big or small, will make a meaningful difference for those in need. Donate here.

Samaritan’s Purse: Samaritan’s Purse is responding in six locations across four states after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Southeast. We are providing relief throughout Watauga County, North Carolina—home to Samaritan’s Purse international headquarters in the town of Boone. The response also extends to include neighboring counties in North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Donate here.

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In-Kind Donations

If you prefer to donate goods, consider reaching out to local shelters and community groups in North Carolina to determine their specific needs. Non-perishable food, toiletries, and clothing are typically in demand, but it’s always best to verify before donating. Additionally, if you’re nearby, some shelters may be in need of volunteers to assist in organizing supplies, serving meals, and distributing donations.

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Volunteering

For those closer to the impacted areas, consider volunteering your time at local shelters or distribution centers. Even if you’re unable to assist physically, remote volunteers can help spread awareness, organize fundraisers, or collect supplies.

Organizations like the American Red Cross and Team Rubicon often require extra hands in disaster zones, both on the ground and remotely. Do your research in advance because word is that FEMA is making it difficult for volunteers to access remote areas due to dangerous terrain.

My Own Efforts to Support Recovery

I’m committed to doing my part in helping the victims of Hurricane Helene. I’ve donated to several of the organizations listed above and am working to raise awareness through my network. It’s important to remember that while the national response might feel slow, local volunteers and smaller groups are often the ones who can act the fastest. That’s why supporting community-based organizations can be especially impactful.

How to Stay Informed and Keep Helping

Hurricane recovery is a long-term process, and relief efforts will continue long after the initial storm passes. Staying informed is key to knowing how you can best help over time. Follow local news, as well as updates from organizations like FEMA, the Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen to get the latest information on evolving needs.

You can also sign up for email updates from the relief organizations to stay aware of ongoing efforts and how to continue contributing. Consider setting up a recurring donation to help sustain these initiatives as communities work to rebuild their lives.

Conclusion

It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of such overwhelming devastation, but every contribution—no matter how small—can make a difference. Whether you donate funds, volunteer your time, or simply share helpful information, your efforts will bring hope and support to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Let’s come together and show North Carolina that we’re here for them during this challenging time.

If you’d like to help, consider donating to one of the organizations mentioned above or sharing this blog to spread awareness. Every little bit counts!