Coming Together to Support North Carolina After Hurricane Helene

Our hearts ache to see the devastation in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The beautiful mountains, vibrant communities, and warm-hearted people we've come to love as we've vacationed and worked in the area, are facing unprecedented challenges. Yet, in the face of this disaster, we're deeply moved by the outpouring of support and the resilience of the local community. We know many of you share our feelings and are eager to help. Here's how we can all contribute to the relief efforts and support those affected by this catastrophe.

Stay Updated with the Megathread
We want to highlight the Hurricane Helene Megathread, which has proven to be an invaluable resource. This regularly updated thread on Reddit is a central hub for the most current information, resources, and needs related to the hurricane aftermath. We strongly recommend bookmarking this page and checking it frequently for the latest updates and opportunities to assist.

Five Organizations to Help Now 

1. Donate to Relief Funds and Organizations: The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund has been set up to provide immediate assistance to those affected.
2. Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms - Asheville Donations of wipes, diapers, and rash cream are needed immediately, the organization is already on the ground, distributing to local families. 
3. BeLoved Asheville is actively collecting and distributing a wide array of supplies. 
4. World Central Kitchen is helping feed people and bringing much needed water into Asheville.
5. Volunteer with or Support Relief Organizations: The Carolina Emergency Response Team and the Cajun Navy are actively involved in relief operations. You can volunteer or donate right on their websites, hyperlinked here. 

Stay Informed and Spread Awareness

• Bookmark and share AshevilleRelief.com for a comprehensive list of resources. 
• North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Find information on shelters, power outages, reuniting with loved ones, or wellness checks. 
• Use DriveNC for information on road closures before attempting to travel.
• Sign up for alerts:
  • AVL Alert for text updates
  • Buncombe County Code Red for emergency notifications

A Community United
We've been deeply touched by the stories of neighbors helping neighbors, of strangers coming together to support one another. As we continue to monitor the situation and look for ways to help, let's remember that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. The affected communities will need our support not just in the coming days, but in the weeks and months ahead.

Stay safe, stay informed, and let's continue to support those in need during this challenging time. And if you know of organizations that are helping more remote areas outside Asheville proper, please let us know as we would love to help spread the word!