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…
A Plumber Gets His Livelihood Back After Hurricane Helene
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE | Dumitru’s story after Helene When Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina in September 2024, Dumitru and Dina Gyska lost everything they depended upon for their livelihoods. Dumitru’s efforts toward building his year-old plumbing business were shattered in a matter of minutes as floodwaters and debris swept through his property in Buncombe County.…
Samaritan’s Purse Dedicates First Home in Hurricane Helene Rebuild
In the same front yard where Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters tore through their quiet western North Carolina neighborhood, Benny and Keeva Messer stood on June 2 praising God for a brand-new home built in Jesus’ Name, from the foundation below to the shingles above. “Today we are going to celebrate and rejoice,” said Luther Harrison, vice…
Crisis & Disaster Response
First Mobile Homes Given to Hurting Families After Helene
Lidia Gomez escaped with her family as floodwaters, mud, and debris filled their Buncombe County, North Carolina, community last September. When they returned in the wake of Helene’s destruction, their mobile home was unrecognizable—filled with water and pierced by a tree that had crashed through the roof. In the following days, the home became filled…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Still Praising God in Helene’s Wake
Hurricane Helene ripped apart mountains. Mud, trees, and boulders plunged into raging creeks and rivers. Homes washed away. It was truly terrifying. As traumatized residents sought relief and refuge on their road to recovery, they turned to churches in their community. But local congregations were also in the path of the storm. In Mountain City,…
Media
Press Release: Samaritan’s Purse Expands Locations For Rebuilding and Replacing New Homes After Hurricane Helene
Samaritan’s Purse Expands Locations For Rebuilding and Replacing New Homes After Hurricane Helene BOONE, N.C., April 10, 2026—A year and a half after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina and parts of the Southeast, many families are still struggling to get back on their feet. Samaritan’s Purse is still hard at work, helping families with…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Pack Animals Gifted to Carolina Organization Helping with Helene Relief
A February storm had softened the ground considerably and loosened the roots on an old poplar tree. Wind gusts finished it off. Mike and Michele Toberer were hours out of town when the timber fell and broke a large opening into a fence holding their mules. Three of them escaped into the highway. “That was…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Secretary Scott Turner Sees Ongoing Response to Hurricane Helene
Scott Turner, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, joined Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers in North Carolina on March 11 to see our continued Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Secretary Turner visited homeowners in Buncombe County (Asheville area) who are still suffering from the storm’s catastrophic strike. “We’re here to learn, to…
Media
Press Release Samaritan’s Purse Dedicates First, Newly-Built Home for Family Impacted by Hurricane Helene
Samaritan’s Purse Dedicates First, Newly-Built Home for Family Impacted by Hurricane Helene BOONE, N.C., May 30, 2025—Samaritan’s Purse plans to dedicate the first of many newly built homes in western North Carolina on Monday, June 2 for Benny and Keva Messer. The Messer family, like hundreds of others, lost nearly everything when floodwaters from Hurricane…
Operation Christmas Child
Reminded of God’s Faithfulness after Helene
Letis Avila lifted her hands to the Lord in prayer as Hurricane Helene bore down on her western North Carolina home last September. Though the storm took a lot from the Salvadoran mother of two, Letis is still praising God today. Soon after the sky cleared and waters receded, two Samaritan’s Purse staff members arrived…
