• Shelley Henderson

Hope is On the Way: The Salvation Army of the Carolinas Two-State Response to Impacts from Helene

Charlotte, NC (September 29, 2024)—Today is a tough day for many in the mountains of North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina. Over 1.3 million customers are without power, with restoration possibly delayed for up to two weeks. Communication is sporadic; in some areas, 911 can only be reached by text. In Western North Carolina, roads and highways are closed due to flooding, fallen trees, landslides, and severe damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

“Getting into the impacted communities so we can help has been challenging, but we are getting in wherever we can,” said Mike Patterson, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army of the Carolinas. “Our teams are carefully navigating the roads to ensure the safety of our crews while also making sure we reach those in greatest need. Hope is on the way!”

A snapshot of The Salvation Army’s services:

Mobile feeding units and teams from Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, and Hickory, North Carolina, have deployed to serve in communities devastated by Helene. As roads open and community needs are realized, more mobile feeding units will travel throughout the impacted areas to feed survivors and soothe their hearts with the promising assurance of God’s love.

In Aiken, South Carolina, The Salvation Army Shelter is providing refuge to many residents displaced by the storm. Among them is a family of seven who lost their home when a tree crashed through the middle of it during the storm. With power outages affecting most of Aiken, The Salvation Army has already provided over 5,000 meals to the community.

In Boone, North Carolina, The Salvation Army’s local service unit opened a temporary shelter, offering food and drinks to those in need while the county shelter was being established. The temporary shelter has closed, and they are currently working alongside the police and fire departments to provide support in the community.

In the coming days, The Salvation Army will deploy additional mobile feeding units to provide meals and drinks, along with Emotional and Spiritual Care officers to share the Word of God, a listening ear, and community resources to people affected by the storm. These dedicated teams will bring not only physical nourishment but also love, comfort, and compassionate care, surrounding individuals and families with support as they journey through this difficult time.