Massive Response Follows Hurricane Helene’s Gut Punch

Two monstrous fall hurricanes in as many weeks left residents in the Southeast reeling. Samaritan’s Purse responded after Hurricane Helene across a broad expanse from Florida to Georgia and into the rugged mountains of western North Carolina and far eastern Tennessee. Many communities were decimated by flooding and landslides.

For weeks after the storm, we coordinated hundreds of relief flights by helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft to assist cut-off communities in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Now also used ground transportation to deliver critically needed items, including generators, cold weather clothing, and other items.

So many of our neighbors are hurting. We're thankful that we can respond and help in Jesus' Name.

Learn about volunteer opportunities, and please continue to pray for all those affected by the storm and for our teams as they serve as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Historic Destruction Across Western North Carolina

Helene tore a deadly path through the mountains of western North Carolina, dumping extreme rainfall and causing catastrophic flash flooding. Numerous locations received from 12 to 31 inches of rain between Sept. 25–27. Some towns were left in ruins. Toppled trees covered the landscape. Roads and bridges were washed out. Homes and businesses were destroyed by flooding and landslides. Many homes remained without power or running water for weeks.

Samaritan's Purse responded quickly, rushing relief to help communities in the region’s remote mountainous terrain. We transported supplies aboard trucks and also on hundreds of relief flights using our own helicopter and the fixed-wing assets of partnering organizations. We airlifted many tons of food, water, generators, fuel, Starlink systems, heaters, solar lights, and blankets.

Our relief efforts included areas throughout Watauga County—home to Samaritan’s Purse international headquarters in the town of Boone—and in neighboring counties around North Carolina’s high country and into Tennessee. Southwest of Boone, rivers raged outside their banks causing widespread destruction in and around Asheville, North Carolina. Our relief response there extended into Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, Black Mountain, Montreat, and Swannanoa. In all, we opened three bases of operation, including in the hard-hit town of Burnsville, where we ran relief operations for Mitchell and Yancey counties, also in western North Carolina.

In addition to tree work, mudding out homes, removing debris, and tarping roofs, our teams operated heavy equipment to clear private driveways and private roads. In some areas, we also provided supplies of water and set up water filtration systems.

Volunteers are also hard at work at our bases in Tampa and Charlotte County, Florida, and in Valdosta, Georgia.

More than 200 Helene-related deaths have been reported, a mainland U.S. death toll second only to Hurricane Katrina in the past 50 years.

Read More

• Love Arrives After the Storm
• Finding Joy in Jesus After the Storm
• An Orange Wave of Help Arrives for Swannanoa
• Water Filtration Systems Deployed to the Asheville Area
• Samaritan's Purse Starts Five-Site Response to Hurricane Helene
• Volunteers Help Lift Heavy Burden for Hurricane-Hit Couple
• Helpful Information for Volunteers (Asheville Base)