MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Hurricane Helene is being blamed for at least 90 deaths in the Southeast after it made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. More than two-million people are still without power and around a quarter-million are without cell phone service. Many roads in Western North Carolina — and especially in the city of Asheville — are shut down due to flooding described as being at “biblical” levels.
How can we help?
Local Donation Drives:
We have updated our list of Local Places Receiving Donations:
Comstock Plumbing —
508 N Mildred Street Ranson WV 25438
Canned Food
Blankets
Water
Hygiene Products
Batteries
First Aid
Clothes
Patton’s Movers —
Donations accepted Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 160 Imboden Dr. Winchester, VA this week.
Next week, they plan to do a final Stuff The Truck on Wednesday at a local business. Details Coming. Among the suggested donations:
Bottled Water, Gallon Water Containers, Sports Drinks, Bug Spray, Trash Bags, Cleaning Supplies, Sanitary Wipes, Heavy Duty Work Gloves & Pet Food.
Eby’s Lawn and Garden is filling a tractor trailer.
Donations can be dropped off at 16409 Fairview Rd., Hagerstown, MD between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. by Thursday October 3rd.
Suggested donations include bottled water, diapers, personal hygiene supplies, and canned goods.
A listener to the Panhandle News Network suggested helping his friend’s efforts by ordering through Amazon:
If you’re looking for a way to help out in NC and want to place an Amazon order, a good friend of mine is an Ag/FFA teacher in NC and they are accepting shipments at their school to provide to Western NC areas in need. Attached is a list of the immediate needs. When searching Amazon use the word “bulk ______” to find better deals on bulk items. When shipping, use the following address: Southwestern Randolph High School 1641 Hopewell Friends Road Attn Atwell- Hurricane Relief Asheboro NC, 27205
Logan’s Road House Martinsburg:
*Cash donations to trusted organizations are the most direct, efficient & flexible way to help after a disaster
*In places where networks are busy, texting leaves lines open for emergencies.
Other tips from those in the affected areas:
*Do not attempt to drive there by yourself, as many roads are still closed. If you do travel — BE SURE TO HAVE FULL GAS CANS in your trunk and cash with you
* If you’re looking for a way to help out in NC and want to place an Amazon order, a good friend of mine is an Ag/FFA teacher in NC and they are accepting shipments at their school to provide to Western NC areas in need. Attached is a list of the immediate needs. When searching Amazon use the word “bulk ______” to find better deals on bulk items. When shipping, use the following address: Southwestern Randolph High School 1641 Hopewell Friends Road Attn Atwell- Hurricane Relief Asheboro NC, 27205
*If you know of an organization collecting items, some suggestions include water, cleaning supplies, canned goods, and animal feed, cat and dog food, diapers, formula, electrolytes, baby wipes, hardware, box knives, hammers, flat pry bars, flat shovels, Tyvek suits, wheelbarrows, floor squeegees, large heavy-duty garbage bags, hoses, mosquito repellent, cleaning supplies, mops, brooms, buckets, squeegees, scoop shovels, rakes, safety glasses, leather gloves, long rubber gloves, rubber gloves, mechanic-type gloves, small scrub brushes, push brooms, box fans, toilet paper, paper towels, paper products (plates, cups, napkins, plasticware like forks, knives, spoons), new dishes, new towels and washcloths, laundry detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, new hairbrushes, deodorant and antiperspirant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, baby formula and baby food (Must be within date), baby wipes, diapers, adult diapers, Gatorade/Powerade, individually wrapped snack foods with long shelf life, gift cards, new underwear and bras (all sizes in original package), new socks in all sizes, new shoes, sneakers and sandals, new clothing, new sheets, new backpacks and school supplies, new toys, crayons, and coloring books/activities for kids.
To donate to victims in nearby North Carolina • Donate or volunteer: NCvoad.org • Visit ReadyNC.gov for state information •
For Virginia, go to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management page.
For information regarding the disaster in Tennessee, go to http://www.tn.gov/tema
* Mercy Chefs is on the ground.
From post on the Mercy Chef’s social media:
The remnants of Hurricane Helene pummeled western North Carolina bringing historic flooding to unprepared mountain towns. People are trapped in their homes without power, cell service, food, and water as they wait for floodwaters to subside and for help to arrive.
Mercy Chefs is deploying to Asheville, NC, to feed hot, chef-prepared meals to a community that is experiencing the most significant disaster to have ever hit their city. These people need help now more than ever.
Mercy Chefs is continuing feeding operations along the Florida Gulf Coast as a second team heads for Asheville. Your support is crucial as we go forward and feed body and soul.
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is hard at work across the country serving families that are suffering from the devastating impacts of #HurricaneHelene.
Currently, we have response sites in various locations including Asheville, North Carolina; Perry, Florida; Valdosta, Georgia and more.
For updates on our response and to learn how you can get involved, please visit SamaritansPurse.org
* BISSELL Pet Foundation
Asheville Humane Society staff is caring for a full shelter with no water, power or Wi-Fi. While state and national resources scramble to get them water, the staff is also dealing with their own family needs. As part of our disaster platform, BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Animal Incident Management team will be moving all the pets from the shelter that are not on stray hold and available for adoption. We are planning two air transports as soon as the airport opens on Monday. Our partners at Forsyth Humane Society will join us on the ground for this lifesaving mission. North Carolina animal shelters are stepping up to join us in supporting Asheville Humane Society during this devasting time.
Transport before and after a disaster is always part of our response strategy to help alleviate the burden of shelter staff and make room for impacted community pets.
With two trips to Asheville, we have the opportunity to bring two planeloads of supplies for the staff and their families. Many people in Asheville are without basic supplies including water.
Donations help with transporting and supplies.
Please email [email protected] with additional tips or ways to help during the recovery from Hurricane Helene.
