• Shelley Henderson

The Salvation Army of the Carolinas Daily Update - Hurricane Helene

Hendersonville, NC  (October 5, 2024)--The Salvation Army’s response is rapidly expanding in North and South Carolina as roads are cleared and areas become accessible. Flooding, landslides, and debris on the roads, especially the secondary roads, are making travel very difficult for residents and service agencies trying to get in to help. After the storm, over two million customers in North and South Carolina were left without power. Crews from power companies are working tirelessly to restore service. Still, more than 334,000 customers remain without power, and it is estimated that some areas may not have power restored for several weeks.

The Salvation Army has teams of trained Emergency Disaster Relief workers from across the nation in the Carolinas to help with the response.

North and South Carolina Relief Operation – Key Statistics 
**Stats as of 10-5-24**

• 29,139 meals served
• 20,565 drinks distributed
• 16,720 snacks provided
• 1,338 Emotional and Spiritual Care contacts made
• 2,428 hygiene kits

The Salvation Army’s Response in the Carolinas:

Buncombe County (Asheville NC Area)
Power has been out in the Asheville/Buncombe County area for one week and, in most places, the water has not been restored. Today, The Salvation Army has mobile feeding units in Swannanoa, Barnardsville, Asheville, and Arden, NC, reaching into places where people are hungry for hot food, cold drinks, and hope.

Henderson County, NC / City of Hendersonville
The Salvation Army in Hendersonville, North Carolina, has power and is serving meals two times a day at The Salvation Army Corps. Power is being restored, but Henderson County was under a boiled water advisory until October 3. A Prayer and Praise wall has been set up in the community center. Colorful post-it notes and markers are in the center of every table. Prayers dot the wall under the cross, thanking God for His grace and love.

Transylvania County, NC
One week after the storm, power is being rapidly restored. However, many areas of Transylvania County are remote, and the rugged terrain makes it challenging for residents to reach grocery stores to replace spoiled food.

Haywood County, NC/City of Waynesville
The Salvation Army serves a shelter in Haywood County, North Carolina, about 35 miles west of Asheville. Haywood County is the third largest county in North Carolina but is rural, rugged, and sparsely populated. Flooding was especially bad in Haywood County, triggering mudslides and washing out roads.

Watauga County, NC/City of Boone
Immediately after the storm passed, The Salvation Army was requested to open a temporary shelter in the mountain town of Boone, North Carolina, offering shelter, food, and drinks to people displaced by the storm while the county shelter was being established. Once the county shelter was established, The Salvation Army temporary shelter closed. The Salvation Army is roving in the Watauga County area, finding pockets of people to serve.

High Country, NC
The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory and High Country has been moving through rural Ashe County, North Carolina, where small clusters of homes are nestled in valleys and woods.

This week, a man came to The Salvation Army for help after his home was destroyed in the flood. Staff members from The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory and High Country were able to help him.
Just Get to The Salvation Army - They Can Help

Aiken, Edgefield, and Barnwell Counties, SC
The Salvation Army of Aiken, South Carolina, is serving meals at several locations daily. Nearly one third of customers in Aiken County are still without power.  The emergency shelter continues to accommodate those affected, including individuals whose homes were destroyed. Salvation Army case managers are working with residents to help them navigate a way forward.

Read more about The Salvation Army’s response in Aiken, SC.
Desperate for Power in Aiken, South Carolina

Columbia/Midlands, SC
In the Columbia Midlands area, many homes remain without power. The Salvation Army is actively roving in the region, identifying neighborhoods in need of food and water.

Disaster response is an extension of The Salvation Army's everyday mission to meet human needs, offering compassionate care and hope in Jesus Christ during the most challenging times. In the coming days, The Salvation Army will deploy additional mobile feeding units and Emotional and Spiritual Care officers to provide meals, drinks, and desperately needed support to those affected by the storm.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

As relief efforts expand, the Salvation Army urgently needs financial contributions. Those wishing to support the disaster response can donate online at helpsalvationarmy.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. When you support Salvation Army disaster services, 100% of your donation is applied to the disaster relief operation you select. The Salvation Army never applies an administrative fee to any disaster gift. If disaster donations exceed identified needs, excess funds will be restricted to support future disaster services.