• Shelley Henderson

The Salvation Army of the Carolinas Daily Update - Hurricane Helene

Hendersonville, NC (October 4, 2024)--The Salvation Army’s response is rapidly expanding in North and South Carolina as roads are cleared and areas become accessible. Flooding, landslides and debris on the roads, especially secondary roads, are making travel very difficult for residents and service agencies trying to get in to help. After the storm, over two million customers in North and South Carolina were left without power. Crews from power companies are working tirelessly to restore service, but more than 510,000 customers remain without power. Many communities are experiencing water shortages, facing either a complete lack of access to clean water or supplies that are unsafe to drink.

The Salvation Army is roving in many rural counties in Western North Carolina, finding pockets of small communities without power and water and providing food, water, and a listening ear to the residents.

North and South Carolina Relief Operation – Key Statistics 
**Stats as of 10-4-24**

• 22,236 meals served
• 16,142 drinks distributed
• 12,070 snacks provided
• 778 Emotional and Spiritual Care contacts made
• 26,400 cleaning supplies
• 2,403 hygiene kits
• Serving in Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, Haywood, Ashe, Watauga Counties, NC and Aiken, Edgefield, Barnwell Counties, and the Midlands Region, SC

The Salvation Army’s Response in the Carolinas:

Buncombe County (Asheville NC Area)
Power has been out in the Asheville/Buncombe County area for one week and, in most places, the water has not been restored. Today, The Salvation Army has mobile feeding units in Swannanoa, Barnardsville, Asheville, and Arden, NC, reaching into places where people are hungry for hot food, cold drinks, and hope.

The Salvation Army's mobile feeding unit was giving out water and snacks in a park in Swannanoa when they encountered a woman who has been undergoing dialysis. She cannot drink much fluid and relies on ice chips for hydration. With no power or running water, finding ice has been difficult for her.  The Salvation Army had what she needed  – a big cup of ice and the promise that we would bring more.

Henderson County, NC / City of Hendersonville
The Salvation Army in Hendersonville, North Carolina, has power and is serving meals two times a day at The Salvation Army Corps. Power is being restored, but Henderson County was under a boiled water advisory until October 3. A Prayer and Praise wall has been set up in the community center. Colorful post-it notes and markers are in the center of every table. Prayers dot the wall under the cross, thanking God for His grace and love.

While serving food at the Walmart in Hendersonville, a woman approached The Salvation Army mobile feeding unit seeking a hot meal and shared her story. During the hurricane, her home was overwhelmed by a flash flood, leaving her standing in water up to her chest, clutching her puppy and fearing for her life. The Salvation Army officer prayed with her, expressing gratitude for God's blessings.

Transylvania County, NC
One week after the storm, power is being restored rapidly. However, many areas of Transylvania County are remote, and the difficult terrain makes it challenging for residents to reach grocery stores to replace spoiled food.

Haywood County, NC/City of Waynesville
The Salvation Army serves a shelter in Haywood County, North Carolina, about 35 miles west of Asheville. Haywood County is the third largest county in North Carolina but is rural, rugged, and sparsely populated. Flooding was especially bad in the Haywood County area, triggering mudslides and washing out roads.

Watauga County, NC/City of Boone
Immediately after the storm passed, The Salvation Army was requested to open a temporary shelter in the mountain town of Boone, North Carolina, offering shelter, food, and drinks to people displaced by the storm while the county shelter was being established. Once the county shelter was established, The Salvation Army temporary shelter closed. The Salvation Army is roving in the Watauga County area, finding pockets of people to serve.

Earlier this week, The Salvation Army discovered a small community where several trailer homes had been washed away. They have since returned to ensure residents have access to food and fresh water while they work to gut their trailers.

Ashe County, NC
The Salvation Army has been moving through rural Ashe County, North Carolina, where small clusters of homes are nestled in valleys and woods. Near the town of Fleetwood, they came across a tiny community in a valley. As they navigated through the neighborhood, they were led to an elderly couple in need of food, water, and prayer.

Aiken, Edgefield, and Barnwell Counties, SC
The Salvation Army of Aiken, South Carolina, is serving meals at several locations daily. Power outages still impact much of the area. The emergency shelter continues to accommodate those affected, including individuals whose homes were destroyed. Salvation Army case managers are working with residents to help them navigate a way forward.

One location The Salvation Army is serving is a home for senior citizens who have been without power since the storm.

Columbia/Midlands, SC
In the Columbia Midlands area, many homes remain without power. The Salvation Army is actively roving in the region, identifying neighborhoods in need of food and water.

Disaster response is an extension of The Salvation Army's everyday mission to meet human needs, offering compassionate care and hope in Jesus Christ during the most challenging times. In the coming days, The Salvation Army will deploy additional mobile feeding units and Emotional and Spiritual Care officers to provide meals, drinks, and desperately needed support to those affected by the storm.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

As relief efforts expand, the Salvation Army urgently needs financial contributions. Those wishing to support the disaster response can donate online at helpsalvationarmy.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. When you support Salvation Army disaster services, 100% of your donation is applied to the disaster relief operation you select. The Salvation Army never applies an administrative fee to any disaster gift. If disaster donations exceed identified needs, excess funds will be restricted to support future disaster services.