The Salvation Army of the Carolinas Daily Update - Hurricane Helene

Hendersonville, NC (October 7, 2024)--The Salvation Army’s response is rapidly expanding in North and South Carolina as roads are cleared and areas become accessible. Early on, flooding, landslides, and debris on the roads, especially the secondary roads, made 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 10-6-24**

• 38,124 meals served
• 25,479 drinks distributed
• 16,720 snacks provided
• 2,209 Emotional and Spiritual Care contacts made
• 2,446 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 since the storm 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.

Yesterday, The Salvation Army team in Arden, North Carolina visited an apartment complex with more than 100 senior citizen apartments to provide hot meals, cold water, and plenty of love. The Salvation Army was the first organization to visit this complex and is returning today with more supplies to help the residents. “We are hope givers to people who have not had power or water since the storm. Glory be to God!” exclaimed Major Aaron Goldfarb from The Salvation Army of Fayetteville.

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. Read the story. Prayers of Western North Carolina

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.

Working alongside the Mayor and local leaders, The Salvation Army is bringing hope and nourishment to the town of Rosman, North Carolina, nestled at the headwaters of the French Broad River. Here, cars roll through the Town Hall parking lot, where residents collect supplies and meals—essentials that are helping them to restore their lives in the wake of the storm.

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.

In the mountain town of Canton, North Carolina, The Salvation Army serves up to 300 meals each day at Canton Plaza while a pumper truck provides fresh water to residents. This effort is a lifeline for the community, helping nourish bodies and spirits during this challenging time.

Several businesses in Clyde, North Carolina, were destroyed by floodwaters and cannot afford professional assistance to gut their buildings. The community is uniting to support one another in their recovery efforts. The Salvation Army is on the ground, providing food, water, and prayer to sustain them as they rebuild.

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.

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.  Aiken, South Carolina:  Small Town, Big Heart

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11

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.