How communities are rebuilding after the Helen Island flood thanks to the efforts of many non-profits and local businesses.

LAKE LURE, North Carolina – With the onset of cooler air and the approach of the holidays, the need for Western North Carolina and other areas affected by the hurricane HelenRussia’s historic flooding has not abated.

Nonprofits and organizations from across the US arrived in droves following the deadly incident. flood destroyed and damaged many communities, leaving hundreds of people without shelter, electricity or basic needs. Representatives from organizations such as the Salvation Army and City Serve told FOX Weather they will remain there until communities return to normal.

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Michelle Hartfield, public information officer for the Salvation Army’s Southern Territory, said Hurricanes Helen and Milton have left those on the ground exhausted, but they continue to demonstrate resilience where it is needed most.

“These two storms caused so much trauma,” Hartfield said. “There are areas in Florida that have already been hit three times. And then we have mountainous areas that really haven’t had any experience with this. And they’re just reeling because they’ve been hit. with something that no one could even comprehend.”

Helen killed at least 97 people in North Carolina and 225 across the United States. Southeastern US

Each community’s needs are unique, and The Salvation Army’s assistance varies depending on whether it has electricity or running water. Sometimes the need is as simple as providing a hot meal.

“The best way we can help is, you know, when we bring in the financial donations that people make to support us, we can then funnel them back into each local community because The Salvation Army really has boots on the ground . in all of these communities year-round,” Hartfield said.

Local businesses and individual volunteers have stepped up their efforts to benefit their communities.

Ridgeline Heating and Cooling co-owner Andrew Wiegel, Lake LureNorth Carolina, was in South Carolina during the hurricane. And since the connection was down, he had to wait to find someone with Starlink Internet access and find out the extent of the damage.

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“As soon as we got here, we made a couple of phone calls and we had people come from all over the country to help. It was really amazing,” Wiegel said. “The Lord has been in charge of this operation since day one, and that’s all I can say is that God is amazing.“

Wiegel’s son-in-law and business partner, Charlie Moore, witnessed the flood firsthand and knew the destruction would be deadly.

“The mountain was literally bleeding. Water was leaking out of every pore, every crevice,” Moore recalled. “And I just went down the road. It was even scary to walk because the water was everywhere, everywhere. The roads turned into rivers and the streams turned into huge rivers.”

Nearly a month later, business owners are working to provide housing for their neighbors.

“We are preparing for winter and it will be very cold. These people live in tents. Some people are now living in shelters,” Wiegel said. “We’re told they only spend a certain amount of time in these shelters and then they have to find somewhere to go. So our mission now is to provide shelter.”

Despite the suffering serious damage from Helen, Asheville The brewing industry was there to help those in need. Several breweries have opened their doors to nonprofit organizations dedicated to delivering food and essentials to their neighbors.

A month after the flood, business together Chimney RockThe Main Street neighborhood is working to clean up the debris and start over. Area seen incredible destruction after Hurricane Helen struck between 1 and 2 feet of rain or more.

Shane Zoccol of City Serve said the first step is clearing the dirt, but the work continues long after the dirt is gone.

“We see the resilience of a city when we come to it, and if they are fighters, we will fight alongside them,” Zoccole said. “We stay as long as necessary. We stay almost until we can enjoy driving around the city when he returns.”

Original article source: How communities are rebuilding after the Helen Island flood thanks to the efforts of many non-profits and local businesses.