Hurricane Helene carved a path of destruction across nearly 500 miles of the U.S. Southeast. The storm first hit landfall on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm. Despite weakening as it moved inland, Helene’s impact reached at least 800 miles into Tennessee and North Carolina.
Early estimates show at least 130 people dead, more than 2 million homes and businesses lost power, and entire towns, including Chimney Rock, North Carolina, inundated by Helene’s flood waters.
Images and video from the ground only begin to show the devastation brought by Helene.
“I’ve never seen devastation like this.” Cars and trucks were tossed around like toys in Asheville, North Carolina, after catastrophic flooding from Helene. pic.twitter.com/4wA33g7VLB
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) September 30, 2024
As officials continue to search for survivors needing assistance, they are just beginning to understand what will be involved to start the next steps towards cleaning up the damage and beginning to rebuild. In the meantime, countless people will face the challenges of daily life without a home, a business, or other necessities we take for granted.
If you’re looking for a way to help those needing assistance in the wake of Helene, we have compiled a list of ways to send direct help.
The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is working to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Please consider donating if you are able ❤️
Donation link: https://t.co/ob2kk7XtQt pic.twitter.com/jttCC7g2Dx
— addie todd (@addietoddd) October 1, 2024
The American Red Cross has mobilized in various ways to help victims of Hurricane Helene, from sending hundreds of volunteers across the region to help on the ground to organizing blood donations.
You can also donate financially in several ways. First, visit the American Red Cross’s official Hurricane Helene donation website. You can also donate by mail by printing out a donation form, filling it out, and sending a check designated for Hurricane Helene relief in the memo line. Finally, you can also donate via text—just text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate to disaster relief.
Project Hope
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Project HOPE is on the ground in North Carolina, providing immediate support to partners and affected communities. The team anticipates continued urgent health, water, sanitation, and mental health needs in the communities most impacted by this crisis.
Make a contribution to Project Hope’s Hurricane Milton relief fund at the official donation website.
World Central Kitchen
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Global relief organization World Central Kitchen has teams in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee to provide free meals for people affected by Hurricane Helene.
Chef Jose Andrés, World Central Kitchen’s founder, is working in Asheville, NC. He told CNN he sees many organizations, including FEMA, the National Guard, the local airport, and community members, coming together to help those in need.
People interested in volunteering with World Central Kitchen can scan the code below to start the registration process.
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Anyone who wants to donate money to help provide food and supplies to World Central Kitchen can easily do so on the organization’s donation website.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has 14 mobile feeding units and an Incident Management team in the areas hit by Helene to help provide necessities, including food, water, and emotional support.
“This hurricane is more than 500 miles across and will impact as many as eight states within our territory. In my more than 20 years of disaster experience, I can’t think of a time when such a large area was at risk, and The Salvation Army could be called to support so many people,” said Jeff Jellets, Territorial Disaster Coordinator for The Salvation Army Southern Territory in a press statement.
To support The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Helene response effort, visit the organization’s official donation website and make a contribution.
The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
North Carolina Governor Ray Cooper announced that the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will support efforts across the state to help storm victims. All donations go directly to nonprofit organizations that provide food, water, cleaning supplies, and other necessities.
The Florida Disaster Fund
Florida’s official private fund helps statewide communities following a natural disaster or other emergency. It is run through Volunteer Florida, an organization that is also looking for individuals willing to step up and serve the community in affected areas. You can find volunteer opportunities here.
Monetary donations can be made directly on the Florida Disaster Fund website.
Feeding America
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Feeding America is working to route food and supplies to affected food banks across Hurricane Helene’s storm path. You can donate directly to Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief on the Feeding America donation website.
