Governments, businesses, nonprofits join to aid storm victims in the N.C. mountains
For residents of western North Carolina, the extent of the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene was just beginning to sink in on Monday. State officials reported at least 32 people dead in North Carolina and at least 200 who had to be rescued from floodwaters, and hundreds of roads—including interstates and major highways—remained closed.
Meanwhile, Charlotteans stepped up to help any way they can. Businesses have pledged portions of their sales to aid victims. Nonprofits are soliciting money and goods. Individuals have set up hundreds of GoFundMe drives to raise money for survivors and their families. The Humane Society urges people to adopt pets to make room for animals from the affected areas.
Officials warned, too, that full recovery could take months. Communities like Black Mountain and Swannanoa, near Asheville, were all but destroyed. Many areas in western North Carolina still lack power and cell phone service—which means they also lack information, especially in communities cut off by at least 11 landslides and roads either too damaged or swamped by mud and debris to be passable. State emergency management officials urged people not to travel to western North Carolina to keep roads clear for relief efforts and utility crews.
Here’s an initial roundup of ways to help:
The N.C. Disaster Relief Fund, managed by the state in partnership with United Way of North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper urged people on Sunday to donate to the fund, which will distribute money to nonprofits working to meet immediate needs like food and water, cleaning supplies, and other emergency supplies.
The American Red Cross and Salvation Army have set up landing pages for money donations.
GoFundMe has compiled and verified a list of fundraisers to help storm victims.
Manolo Betancur, who owns Manolo’s Bakery in East Charlotte, is organizing a joint effort among the bakery, Higher Grounds coffee shop, Artisen Gelato, and Tita’s Cake House in Salisbury to donate 10% of sales to relief efforts.
McDowell County-based Foothills Food Hub is accepting donations to supply survivors with clean drinking water and shelf-stable food.
The national disaster relief organization Americares is raising money to help with emergency medical needs.
Wooden Robot Brewery is collecting supplies that can be dropped off at the brewery’s locations in South End and NoDa or at Thrift Pony in Plaza Midwood. They do not accept cash donations but do accept gift cards that they can use to buy goods.
Great Wagon Road Distilling Co., Town Brewing Co., Resident Culture Brewing Co., Triple C Brewing Co., and HopFly Brewing Co. have teamed up to collect water, baby items, nonperishable foods, wireless solar chargers, flashlights, batteries, and other essential supplies. Donations can be dropped at any of the above businesses’ locations. The team at Burnsville-based Birdfoot taproom and bottle shop is making daily trips to deliver these supplies to the mountains.
Diaper Bank of North Carolina is collecting money, plus bottles, formula, diapers, and other items for young children and the elderly.
The national organization Operation Airdrop has set up a staging base at Concord Regional Airport for any pilots or ground volunteers who can help with flights of supplies to Hickory and Statesville for shipment west. The nonprofit has also established a supply drop-off point at the Walmart on Thunder Road N.W. in Concord.
The Humane Society of Charlotte wants people to adopt pets if they can; donate money to the society’s Asheville office and Asheville-based nonprofit Brother Wolf Animal Rescue; or donate money and supplies to its Charlotte office at 1348 Parker Drive.
A group of small-aircraft pilots in Charlotte is raising money via GoFundMe to purchase nonperishable foods, hygiene items, and baby supplies, which they’ll fly to western North Carolina.
VolunteerNC and North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster are looking for volunteers to help with disaster services, like shelter, home repair/rebuild, donations warehousing, and more. Sign up here.
The Charlotte Observer has a list of other local small businesses that are contributing to relief efforts.
Charlotte Magazine Staff
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