Friday Night Call For Aid

The Thousand Year Flood and How You Can Help

Hey Folks,

I know it’s not “Friday Night” like I usually post, but this is serious stuff so I’m not going to wait until 6PM. Please share this as fast and as often as you can.

I am getting right to sharing some other authors’ books because that’s what I do on Fridays and it feels normal and feeling normal is not an easy task right now.

But after you take a look at the books PLEASE keep reading. I am currently posting this from a federally declared disaster zone. Western North Carolina needs your help.

Now for the sharing of the books.

Show some authors some love.

Now, for the love that an entire region needs.

Western North Carolina has been hit by a hurricane which produced winds over 150 mph, spawned tornados, and caused flooding that has been called “a thousand year flood”. This area is devastated. FEMA officials have said this is worse than Katrina. Which is so sad because the Asheville/WNC area took in Katrina refugees twenty years ago and now those folks are going through it again.

Quick graphic:

Just like with Katrina, it’s the flooding that has truly destroyed the area. Entire communities were washed away. Marshal, Hot Springs, Lake Lure/Chimney Rock, Swannanoa, and so many more small towns and communities are essentially gone or completely destroyed.

Power is still out for the majority of the area. Water will not be restored to the Asheville/Buncombe county region (and other regions) for weeks and probably months. Most of the supplies have had to be airlifted in because the roads are just not there anymore.

Take a look (this barely even touches what is being seen): Gallery of Destruction

Right now the death toll is at 200. That doesn't;t scratch the surface. Deaths will be in the hundreds (plural) and possibly the thousands. Entire families have been lost. Generations taken by the flood waters. There are thousands reported missing and thousands that haven’t been reported because there’s no one left to report them.

This is bad, y’all. So very bad.

What I am asking is that you share this with anyone and everyone. News moves on too quickly nowadays. Katrina was pre-smartphone so folks paid attention longer. Not today. We have to keep this front and center. 11% of the population of an entire state has been affected. It will take months to get things even close to functional. We’re looking at decades before the area gets to a new “normal”.

Here is the local resources link to a legit list of ways to help: https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-09-28/list-ways-to-donate-and-help-flood-victims-in-western-north-carolina-after-hurricane-helene

Here is the FEMA link: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene

Ignore text messages coming to you. Those are more than likely scams. Only give funds to reputable charities and aid organizations. Also, STAY OUT OF WNC. There is no infrastructure. Now is not the time to go leaf peeping, y’all.

Click the links above (here they are again- local: https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-09-28/list-ways-to-donate-and-help-flood-victims-in-western-north-carolina-after-hurricane-helene and FEMA https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene) and give what you can. I’ll also list things below, but the link is updated regularly so it’ll be more current than this post.

MOST OF ALL, DO NOT LET US BE FORGOTTEN. PLEASE DO NOT MOVE ON TO THE NEXT TIKTOK VIDEO. PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING AND NEED YOUR ATTENTION.

Thank you, folks. All of your help is truly appreciated.

And share this post if you can, please!

***

List of resources/ways to help:

FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene

Local Verified Groups

Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)

• A local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters.

• The group asks that you do not deliver supplies unannounced to their Swannanoa warehouse (they had to evacuate and are restoring services).

• The request is for financial donations online.
  

https://www.heartswithhands.org/

• Trucks with large loads of supplies (water, food, and more are listed here) should email info@heartswithhands.org to coordinate warehouse drop-off.

Manna FoodBank in Asheville

• The organization is distributing food, water, and more at the Asheville Farmers Market.

• On Oct. 1, donations will be accepted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. On Oct. 2 through 5, donations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• The following items are requested:
  

  • Shelf-stable food (pop-top cans preferred, not requiring a can opener)

  • Bottled water

  • Baby and toddler formula and food

  • Diapers

• Updates will be made available via the FoodBank’s website.

• There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate - including online. Go here to 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
  PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/belovedasheville

• 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 on the organization's social media pages. BeLoved Asheville is located at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803.

• For volunteer info and more, visit the organization's website.

Haywood Christian Ministry

• Western North Carolina's largest food pantry, based in the Waynesville area.

• The group is distributing food on the ground and requesting donations to help with the emergency disaster response.

• For info and to donate, go here.

Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms - Asheville

• Donations of wipes, diapers, and rash cream are needed immediately.

• The organization is on the ground already and distributes to local families plus partner charities that serve families and babies.

• You can donate online or use the non-profit's Amazon Wish List here.

Foothills Food Hub

• Working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute in McDowell County.

• Requesting monetary donations, which can be made online here.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

• The organization itself saw its facility destroyed in the disaster. All animals are with foster families.

• The group is fundraising to help provide animals in foster with essential supplies and more.

• To learn more and donate, go here.

Partnership for Appalachian Girls' Education (PAGE)

• The group is on the ground in Marshall. PAGE is collecting monetary donations to support the educational and social-emotional needs of girls following this disaster.

• For more info and to donate, go here.

Community Housing Coalition of Madison County

• The group will be helping fund emergency home repairs for Helene victims in Madison County.

• The request is for online donations. Go here for more information or to donate.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

• The non-profit 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 online here.

Wine to Water

• The non-profit is currently servicing Watauga and Avery counties (also hit by Helene in North Carolina) and is expanding to Asheville and Ashe County as soon as possible.

• Wine to Water distributes food, supplies, water, and hot meals. Volunteers are encouraged (go to 689 George Wilson Rd, Boone, NC, 28607).

• The group also is handing out water filters - which can safely filter water from springs and creeks for cooking and drinking. The group is also running a plastic recycling program to keep single-use plastic bottles out of the environment.

• To learn more and donate, go here.

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 at abccm.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, visit Homeward 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, visit the 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 available here.

Democracy Green

• Already on the ground in Cleveland, Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, and Watauga counties. Updates available on the group's Facebook page.

• Volunteers are needed: Call 910-813-3757.

• Supplies requested includes: water, non-perishable food, grills, charcoal briquettes and matches.

• As of Sept. 29, the drop-off point for supplies was: The Swatchworks 453 Oakhurst Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205. (Call ahead for large deliveries).

• Items accepted at the above address 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon-Thurs.

• Deploying Relief, Volunteers

  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 available here.

  Americares Emergency Response Team

  • The group is deploying to North Carolina, starting in Asheville.

  • Donations to Americares Hurricane Helene Relief Fund will support health services for survivors, such as deliveries of medicines and relief supplies and support for damaged health facilities. The group partners with local clinics.

  • For information and to donate, go here.

  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 the Salvation 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 on the organization’s website.

  • Donations are accepted online and by check. Click here for more.

  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. Click here for more info. 

  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, visit the website.

  Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina

  • The organization plans to deliver items to flood victims in Western North Carolina.

  • Monetary contributions also will help relocate families with foster children to secure accommodations, such as hotels or AirBnBs.

  • Item drop-off locations will be announced on the group's Facebook page here.

  • To make an online donation, visit the alliance's website.

  Team Rubicon

  • The organization is responding with route clearance teams in South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee and is planning response operations in Buncombe County.

  • Volunteers are needed for deployment starting immediately. Click here to sign up.

  • Donations are accepted online. Click here to fund the Hurricane Helene response. 

  Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)

  • The group is a non-profit arts service organization that provides craft artists with support and resources for disaster and emergency relief.

  • The organization is accepting donations that will help Helene victims in WNC, where there is a dense craft-artist population.

  • To learn more or donate, go here.

  Water Mission

  • The group is starting in Boone and will take aid to the hardest-hit areas of Western North Carolina.

  • Relief items from the Christian engineering non-profit include: generators, supplies, and water treatment equipment.

  • To donate and learn, go here.

  Mercy Chefs

  • The organization is deploying to Western North Carolina to serve prepared meals to volunteers on the ground, first responders, and community members stranded by the disaster.

  • To learn more and donate, go here.