Hendersonville, NC (October 1, 2024)–In the Carolinas, flood waters are receding in some areas impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Still, debris on the roads, especially secondary roads, is making travel very difficult for both residents and service agencies trying to get in to help. Crews from the power companies are working around the clock to restore power, but one million customers are still without in the two-state area. In addition, many communities are facing water shortages, with either no access to water or water that is unsafe to drink.
As conditions improve and more areas become accessible, The Salvation Army’s response is expanding to address the unmet needs in communities in North and South Carolina.
A Snapshot of Services in the Carolinas:
Hendersonville, NC
The Salvation Army in Hendersonville, North Carolina, has power and began serving meals twice daily at The Salvation Army. For some people who were served, it was the first hot meal they had since the storm last week.
After days of searching for hot meals, a man arrived to pick up two meals yesterday —one for himself and one for his mother, who suffers from dementia.
Asheville, NC
In coordination with our feeding partners, The Salvation Army has been transporting and serving hot meals to people in the state-operated shelter in Asheville. Currently, two mobile feeding units are on the ground serving that effort.
The Salvation Army has been sheltering and feeding people at the Center of Hope Emergency Shelter despite not having power or water. To ensure the health and well-being of the residents, shelter residents were transported to the state-operated shelter because of the power and water situation.
Aiken, SC
In Aiken, South Carolina, The Salvation Army Shelter is providing refuge to many residents displaced by the storm. With power outages affecting most of Aiken, The Salvation Army has already provided thousands of meals to the community.
Boone, NC
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. The temporary shelter has closed, and they are currently working alongside the police and fire departments to provide support by delivering hot meals to people in the community.
Greenwood, SC
Recognizing that power outages prevented people from charging their phones, The Salvation Army in Greenwood, South Carolina, responded by opening a charging station for the community.
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.
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.
