Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in North Carolina on September 27, 2024, has left an indelible mark on the western region of the state, particularly the areas around the Swannanoa River, where countless lives were forever changed. The storm's unprecedented rainfall, flooding, landslides and strong winds have resulted in one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent U.S. history. Its impact was felt across 39 counties in North Carolina and some areas of western North Carolina, which accounts for 45% of the state's GDP, received over 30 inches of rain (a figure exceeded only once before in recorded state history).
Hurricane Helene’s destruction scale is staggering. The storm resulted in nearly 100 confirmed deaths in North Carolina. It damaged or destroyed over 126,000 homes, affected 160 water and sewage systems and damaged more than 1,000 roads and bridges, including parts of Interstate 40. The economic impact is equally severe, with estimated damage and recovery costs projected at over $53 billion, far surpassing the previous record of $17 billion from Hurricane Florence in 2018.
A Survivor’s Story of Resilience
For many residents, the storm was a personal catastrophe. An employee from one of E4E Relief’s clients was aware of the impending danger but could not fully anticipate the severity of the storm. Despite having prepared, the reality of the situation quickly surpassed her worst fears. The storm surge came in with an unexpected ferocity, flooding her home and surrounding area in a matter of hours.
Despite having complete hearing loss in one ear, she woke up at 4:00 a.m. to the sound of howling wind and the sudden loss of power and soon found herself in the throes of bedlam. By 7:00 a.m., the water had risen to mid-shin depth inside her home, forcing her to seek refuge with her dog on the patio. The scene was apocalyptic: trees were down everywhere, blocking any possible route for escape and the only source of information was a choppy radio signal.
The employee struggled for survival in the days following the storm. With no power, water or means of communication, she had to rely on the kindness and resilience of strangers. She spent the initial days in her car, as her home was uninhabitable due to rising water and the rapid growth of mold. It was only through someone’s generosity – who offered her housing – that she found a place to temporarily call home.
Hurricane Helene produced unimaginable loss, but the community's response was nothing short of remarkable. Neighbors extended help to each other, churches quickly organized food and water distribution and people shared whatever resources they had to spare. This survivor, too, played her part by sharing dog food and other essentials with those in need.
“Helping others helped me keep from focusing too much on the loss and the community engagement was incredible. People shared everything they could with each other. If I got more than I needed, I gave it to others,” she recalled.
In a time of despair, she experienced a sense of community and mutual support that served as a beacon of hope. However, the road to recovery has not been without challenges. In the immediate wake of the storm, local ATMs were down, making it difficult to access cash for essential supplies and unreliable Internet and phone service added to the confusion.
The Lifeline Provided by Emergency Financial Relief
During that chaotic period, she learned her employer had thought ahead on her (and many others’) behalf, by seeding an Emergency Financial Relief fund. The program, facilitated by E4E Relief, quickly became a lifeline for her. But the E4E Relief grant was more than financial assistance; it was a symbol of hope and support during a time when the worst had happened. The grant helped cover immediate expenses such as food, temporary lodging and even the cost of traveling to safer areas.
The cash grant also provided a sense of security and stability, allowing her to focus on rebuilding her life rather than being consumed with immediate survival overwhelm. The knowledge that her company had invested in a partnership with E4E Relief to provide immediate financial assistance made a significant difference in her mental and emotional well-being.
For this survivor, the journey isn’t over, but with her employers’ support and her community’s unwavering spirit, she is taking steps toward restoring her life with a renewed sense of hope and gratitude for unexpected help in a dark hour.
Sources:
https://www.osbm.nc.gov/hurricane-helene-dna/open
https://climate.ncsu.edu/blog/2024/09/rapid-reaction-historic-flooding-follows-helene-in-western-nc/
https://commonedge.org/letter-from-asheville-the-aftermath-of-helene/
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/24/g-s1-29660/north-carolina-hurricane-helene-damage
https://www.juvare.com/unprecedented-path-and-impact-of-hurricane-helene-on-north-carolina/
