• Stephanie Chastain

The Salvation Army’s Response to Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina

Asheville, NC - Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina with devastating force. While the region began experiencing heavy rains on September 24th, the storm made landfall on the morning of September 27th, bringing unprecedented rainfall and wind damage. Some areas were drenched with up to 30 inches of rain, while wind gusts in the higher elevations reached up to 106 miles per hour. Rivers swelled to dangerous levels, cresting between 20 and 30 feet, leaving tens of thousands without power and clean water.

In the face of such devastation, The Salvation Army quickly mobilized its disaster response teams to provide immediate relief. Deploying hot meals, hydration, cleanup kits, and offering emotional and spiritual care, the response rapidly expanded to cover the 24 counties and over 10,190 square miles impacted by the storm across Western North Carolina.

As of October 18th, three weeks into the recovery efforts, The Salvation Army has distributed over 75,000 meals from 16 service vehicles dispatched from across the country. In addition to addressing physical needs, the organization has provided emotional and spiritual support to over 8,500 individuals, offering a compassionate presence during the crisis.

The scale of the response has been massive. A total of 131 Salvation Army personnel from 16 different states and Canada have answered the call, working tirelessly for more than 14,000 hours to help the community recover. The organization remains committed to delivering meals to those still without power and water and will continue to serve in the area as long-term recovery efforts get underway.

For those affected, The Salvation Army has been a beacon of hope, ensuring that even amid the chaos and destruction, no one is left behind. As the region begins the slow process of rebuilding, The Salvation Army will stand with the community every step of the way, bringing relief, recovery, and the message of hope to Western North Carolina.