The vice president elect accompanied the Samaritan's Purse COO on Dec. 6 to encourage homeowners and volunteers in the devastated region.
Vice President Elect JD Vance visited western North Carolina today where the remnants of Hurricane Helene churned through the Appalachians causing catastrophic flooding in late September. Vance joined Samaritan’s Purse COO Edward Graham in Buncombe County (Asheville area) where they met with local residents affected by the deadly storm, which dumped as much as 30 inches of rain in some areas. Vance and Graham were also joined by Will Graham, Executive Vice President of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and Cissie Graham Lynch.
Edward Graham and Cissie Graham Lynch meet with homeowners in Buncombe County.
Vance and Graham heard stories from homeowners in the area as they described the near apocalyptic experience of riding out the storm. Large trees, boulders, and the tops of mountains came loose and swept through quiet mountain communities—transforming the landscape and many lives.
The group, also joined by North Carolina Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis and West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito, met the Wright family whose home was nearly destroyed in the storm. The Wrights, and their family who lived nearby, barely escaped from the deadly deluge, though they suffered great loss to their property.
“People always asked us why we built our house so high. Then this happened,” Curtis Wright said, noting how the water still caused severe damage. The family was trapped by the washout. “It took us two days just to get across our bridge,” Curtis’s wife, Amber, said.
Edward Graham offered words of encouragement as he heard the story of Curtis holding his kids above the water hoping it would recede.
“I couldn’t imagine holding your kid and not knowing whether or not the water was going to keep climbing,” Edward said. “We’ve got some great people here to serve you. People often feel alone or forgotten and I want you to know that you’re not.”
JD Vance gathers with homeowners in Buncombe County.
Vance encouraged the family and the volunteers who were helping clean out their home.
“You guys have big hearts and it’s really an inspiration what you’re doing out here,” Vance said. “Thank you for what you’re doing. Thank you so much for being here.”
Samaritan’s Purse has been responding to the disaster across multiple counties in western North Carolina since the terrible events of Sept. 27, which claimed hundreds of lives and left many without power and water. Some families lost everything as their homes washed into the rivers.
For weeks following the storm, we provided water, food, generators, fuel, Starlink systems, and more to areas in need—transporting the relief via Samaritan’s Purse and military airlifts from the Boone, North Carolina, airstrip. Chinooks, Black Hawks, and other aircraft filled the skies for hundreds of missions to deliver critical items to cut-off mountain communities.
Samaritan’s Purse has also deployed tens of thousands of volunteers to help homeowners clean up flooded homes and property after Hurricane Helene. From five relief bases (three in North Carolina; plus Valdosta, Georgia, and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida), we’ve assisted more than 4,800 homeowners remove mud and ruined belongings from homes, treat for mold, tarp roofs, cut downed trees, and more all while sharing the hope of the Gospel. We praise God that, to date, more than 280 people have come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through this response!
As Samaritan’s Purse transitions into an extensive rebuild effort across the mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, please continue to pray for the many grieving families. Many have lost homes, loved ones, livelihoods, and businesses.
We will be replacing hundreds of manufactured homes, as well as repairing and rebuilding stick-built homes over the coming years. For more information on this phase of the project, see our rebuild page.
Edward Graham, along with Will Graham and Cissie Graham Lynch meet with JD Vance.
