Helene hits the Carolinas: How to help, donations, resources (2024)

WFAE | By WFAE,

BPR

PublishedSeptember 29, 2024 at 12:10 PM EDT

Hurricane Helene has left destruction in its wake for western North Carolina and other parts of the U.S. Southeast.

National and local agencies are mobilizing to help the nearly 1 million residents of Western North Carolina, many of whom are affected by catastrophic flooding. The North Carolina Department of Transportation says all roads in the western part of the state are considered closed. Asheville experienced widespread flooding and landslides and now has no access to power, internet, cellular service or water.

You can follow our coverage here.

Here's a list of resources for donating, volunteering and more.

Charlotte Area Organizations

Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont

Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont is launching a Hurricane Supply Drive to collect donations to drop off at the disaster relief drive hosted by Charlotte Douglas International Airport and American Airlines. Once items are delivered to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, they will be loaded onto a truck and delivered to western North Carolina.
Supplies of need include toiletries, baby needs, tarps, cleaning supplies, trash bags and non-perishable food items.

When & Where

Saturday, October 5-Sunday October 6; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont’s 36 retail locations.

SouthPark Community Partners

SouthPark Community Partners and a group of SouthPark businesses to hold a blood and donation drive on Thursday, October 3.
Albemarle and SouthPark Community Partners will host the blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross from 3-8p.m.
Supplies for the donation drive will be collected from 12-9p.m. Items needed include water, cleaning supplies, trash bags, baby wipes, non-perishable food items, plastic utensils and plates. The group is encouraging those planning to attend SouthPark After 5 to bring items to donate. Supplies will be taken to western NC on Friday.
The group is also asking for monetary donations for recovery efforts to be sent to the North Carolina Hurricane Relief Fund at nc.gov/donate.

When & Where:

Blood Drive: Thursday, October 3, 3-8p.m.
Donation Drop-off: Thursday, October 3, 12-9p.m.
Symphony Park: 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211

Niners Care: Hurricane Relief Fund

UNC Charlotte established a Hurricane Helene relief fund. The fund will help with recovery efforts for students, faculty and staff at UNC Asheville, Appalachian State University and Western Carolina University.
To donate, visit https://crowdfund.charlotte.edu/project/44126.

Catawba Riverkeeper

The Catawba Riverkeeper is hosting a supply drive on Thursday, October 3 at Confluence and another on Saturday, October 5 at The Boathouse.
Items of need include diapers, baby formula, bottled water, wipes, heavy duty tarps, contractor trash bags, heavy duty rubber gloves, construction goggles and N95 masks.
Supply delivery will be coordinated by Catawba Riverkeeper and collected by partners working on the ground in the area of the river basin most affected by Helene, the Northern Catawba Basin.

When & Where:

Thursday, October 3, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, October 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Confluence: 117 Center Street, Cramerton, NC 28032; The Boathouse: 115 Willow Drive, McAdenville, NC 28101

Calvary Baptist Church

Calvary Baptist Church is collecting supplies and asking for volunteers to help with relief efforts for those on Riverside Drive who have experienced major flooding along the Catawba River in Northwest Charlotte.
Items of need include trash bags, tarps, work gloves, shovels, brooms, mops, cleaning solution, bottled water, toiletries and pet food.
To sign up to volunteer, fill out this form.

When & Where:

Wednesday, Oct. 2 through Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m.-6p.m.
Calvary Baptist Church: 2727 Mt Holly-Huntersville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214

Charlotte Motor Speedway & NASCAR

Western NC local organizations

Tryon International Supply Distribution Center

For those in need, free supplies are available for humans, pets and livestock. The distribution center drive through will be staffed with Tryon International team members and volunteers. To volunteer, visit https://www.resort.tryon.com/volunteer
The Lodging Office Building has limited showers and laundry facilities available.
The Legends Club has an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast buffet at 7 a.m. and lunch buffet at 11:30 a.m. To view the menu, visit https://www.resort.tryon.com/restaurants.
Donations are being accepted at the Supply Distribution Center. Items being collected include: water, batteries and flashlights, animal hay, feed, shavings, pet food, cat litter, bread, peanut butter, jelly, non-perishable food items, coolers, camping supplies, generators, hand sanitizer, first aid kits, towels, socks, underwear, hygiene items, infant items, gluten free and celiac safe foods, shovels, rakes, tarps and portable chargers. To volunteer to help or distribute items, click here.
To donate large items, contact media@tryon.com.
Items can also be shipped to the Tryon International Supply Distribution Center.
To make a financial contribution, write a check to the Green River Foundation with "Hurricane Helene relief" as the memo and use the Tryon International mailing address below. All proceeds will go towards relief efforts in Polk, Rutherford, Henderson and Buncombe Counties in North Carolina and Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

When & Where:

Daily, 10 a.m. - 6p.m.
Supply Distribution Center: 2676 John Shehan Rd, Mill Spring NC 28756
Address to ship items & mail checks: 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC 28756

Community Foundation of Western North Carolina

To donate to the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, click here.

Democracy Green

In Burke, Cleveland, McDowell, Rutherford and Watauga counties.
In need of volunteers. To volunteer, call 910-813-3757.
Requested supplies include water, non-perishable food, grills and matches.

When & Where:

Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The SwatchWorks: 453 Oakhurst Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205.

Haywood Christian Ministry

The largest food pantry based in western North Carolina.
The group is distributing food to those affected and is currently requesting donations. To donate, click here.

Hearts with Hands

Hearts with Hands has been donating food and other essentials to Buncombe County shelters.
The group is asking for monetary donations. To give, visit https://www.heartswithhands.org/.

Diaper Bank of North Carolina

Collecting items for those impacted by Hurricane Helene including diapers for infants & toddlers, menstrual products, infant formula and adult incontinence supplies.
To support Diaper Bank of North Carolina, donate or host a donation drive. Click here to learn more.

Community Housing Coalition of Madison County

The Community Housing Coalition is helping to provide funds for emergency home repairs for survivors of Hurricane Helene in Madison County.
For more information and to donate, visit https://chcmadisoncountync.org/.

Babies Need Bottoms Diaper Bank

Babies Need Bottoms is a diaper bank providing free diapers to families in western North Carolina.
The group is in need of monetary donations to provide diapers to those in need. To donate, visit https://babiesneedbottoms.org/donate/.

Manna FoodBank in Asheville

The organization’s warehouse was prepped prior to the storm.
Updates will be made available via theFoodBank’s website.
There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate — including online. Gohereto 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 onthe organization's social media pages. BeLoved Asheville is located at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803.
For volunteer info and more, visitthe organization's website.

Foothills Food Hub

Working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute in McDowell County.
Requesting monetary donations, which can be made onlinehere.

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 atabccm.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, visitHomeward 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, visitthe 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 availablehere.

The University of North Carolina System

The University of North Carolina system leaders have shared disaster relief funds to send donations to support students, faculty and staff at Appalachian State University, NCSSM-Morganton, UNC Asheville and Western Carolina University.

Donate below:

Appalachian State University Disaster Relief Fund

North Carolina Arboretum: https://www.ncarboretum.org/donate-now/ (Select “The ONE Fund” designation)

NCSSM-Morganton Helene Recovery Fund

UNC Asheville:https://giving.unca.edu/ (Select “UNC Asheville Fund” designation)

Western Carolina University Emergency Fund North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

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 availablehere.

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 theSalvation 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 onthe organization’s website.
Donations are accepted online and by check. Clickherefor more.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

The nonprofit 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 onlinehere.

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. Clickherefor more info.

U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Recovery

The following counties are eligible for Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.
Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in Cherokee, Graham, Iredell Mecklenburg, Surry, Swain and Yadkin are eligible to apply only for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

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, visitthe website.

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is accepting contributions to help hurricane Helene survivors. Click here to donate.

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.
Operation Airdrop is in need of volunteers to help move supplies.
For more information, visit thewebsite.

United Way of North Carolina

United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) created a Helene Recovery Fund where people can make monetary donations to areas with the greatest need or they can choose which local United Way their funds will go towards. To give, visit https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/1nSUgw?vid=17y8zz.
For donations on behalf of an organization, email UWNC’s Ed Bonilla at ebonilla@unitedwaync.org.
United Way is also collecting supplies to donate to those affected by Helene. Items needed include bottled water, packaged food, pet food, baby food and formula. To find a donation site near you, click here. NC Emergency Management-Business Emergency Operations Center must approve the supplies donated.
United Way of North Carolina has coordinated search & rescue efforts for those unable to reach friends and family. To fill out a rescue request, visit https://www.unitedwaync.org/.

National organizations

World Central Kitchen

Serving food to those in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee affected by Hurricane Helen.
Needs volunteers to help with Hurricane relief efforts in Asheville and areas in western, NC.
For more information or to sign up to volunteer, visit: wck.volunteerhub.com or email volunteer@wck.org.

Project HOPE

Project HOPE in partnership with the North Carolina Free and Charitable Clinics has an emergency response team in western North Carolina and is providing medical care and supplies to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The organization is accepting donations to help with its emergency response effort. Donations will be used to provide clean water, medical care and more. To give, visit www.projecthope.org/helene2024

American Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html

Salvation Army
https://give.helpsalvationarmy.org/give/166081?c_src=web-header#!/donation/checkout

Mutual Aid Disaster Relief
https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/mutual-aid-disaster-relief

Resources

Find Red Cross shelters
Duke Energy power outage map
Duke Energy: 1-800-419-6356 (to report outages call 1-800-543-5599 or text "OUT" to 57801)
NC Highway Patrol: 828-298-4252 / Road Conditions: DriveNC.gov
Emergency Call Center: 828-356-2020
Buncombe County Non-emergency: 828-250-6650
Canton Police: 828-648-2376
Waynesville Police: 828-456-5363
Maggie Valley Police: 828-926-0867
HEMC: 828-452-2281
Haywood County Animal Control: 828-456-5338
Haywood County Department of Social Services: 828-452-6620
Haywood County Missing Persons: 828-452-6666
Canton Water: 828-648-2376
Waynesville Water: 828-456-3706
Disaster Distress Helpline:1-800-985-5990; for Spanish, press “2”
988 Suicide & Crisis: Call or text 988
Vaya Health Crisis Line: 800-849-6127
Mental Health America: For information on how to cope with a disaster, visit Mental Health America’s resource page, here.
NAMI Crisis Text Line: Free service providing 24/7 crisis support.If you are in a mental health crisis, text NAMI at 741-741.
NAMI Helpline: The service is available Monday through Friday from 10a.m.-6p.m. Call 1-800-950-6264.
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or text, 838255.
Disability & Disaster Hotline: 1-800-626-4959, hotline@disasterstrategies.org.
NCDPS: Call local emergency management to report damage and get help with issues like downed trees. Some are also assisting with wellness checks. Click here, for contacts.
Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386
Buncombe County Register of Deeds: Call 828-820-2761 to locate loved ones. Fill out this form to report missing friends or family.
Wilkes Rescue Group: To find lost dogs or if in need of dog food, collars, leashes, blankets, dog houses and more, email WilkesRescueGroup@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/WilkesRescueGroup/.
FEMA Assistance: Call 800-621-3362, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or download the FEMA App.