Image: News_HurricaneHelene_1:”Released to Public: Hurricane Helene, September 2006 (NASA)” by pingnews.com is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. Via Creative Commons
It was first noticed on radar on Sept. 23. Hurricane Helene has been wreaking havoc on the southeastern United States for weeks. Amid this horrible and destructive disaster, however, has been a show of kindness and togetherness.
Hurricane Helene’s death toll has been shocking, with over 220 missing or dead, as reported by NBC News. This number has made it the deadliest storm to hit the United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Amongst this disheartening loss felt by the Southeast, citizens of affected counties and even neighboring states have offered help and resources to those in need. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated the following in a recent press release regarding the disaster in North Carolina: “The destruction and loss of life caused by Hurricane Helene in the Southeast is devastating. Lori and I are praying for the families and communities impacted by this natural disaster….Pennsylvania Task Force 1 is on the ground in North Carolina to help with recovery efforts, and I’ve deployed resources from PEMA and our National Guard. I thank these brave and dedicated Pennsylvanians for doing their part to help their fellow Americans.”
The support enlisted by Pennsylvania and other neighboring states include search and rescue as well as delivering much needed supplies and necessities to those who have unfortunately lost homes or resources due to the storm.
More notable relief efforts include those by the Biden Administration, which has donated over $20 million to the survivors as well as efforts by the Red Cross to open shelters and provide immediate care to those suffering. President Joe Biden made a visit to the affected communities in Georgia and Florida and had the following to say: “I’m here to say the United States, the nation, has your back…They’re not leaving until you’re back on your feet completely,” according to South World Online.
Citizens involved in the storm’s aftermath have lost power and, in many cases, their homes. Many are without water, their towns are destroyed and means of transportation are limited, with many roads damaged.
Those living in the affected areas, however, have seen community-wide unity of many magnitudes. An anonymous WCU student’s mother, who resides in South Carolina spoke to The Quad briefly about the fallout and community unity: “We were not ready. As scary as the storm was, watching the community come together afterwards has truly been an inspiration.”
Many of those affected by the storm have been enlisting in efforts to help others, creating search and rescue teams and aiding stranded families, and even helping pets get to safety and shelter after the devastating loss they have endured. One of the most affected communities to date is Asheville, N.C. In this community, relief is given both by first responders and those directly affected by the storms. Brandegee Pierce, a co-founder of a sustainable party goods company in Asheville called “Pirani,” had this to say in an interview with Yahoo! Life: “People are offering their homes if they have water…. People are doing supply runs. You need something, there are 10 people that will try to help you.”
The acts of kindness displayed throughout the storm’s catastrophic landfall in the Southeast have been life changing for some, providing them with support and assistance in the face of loss. As more resources and necessities are brought to the impacted states and communities, there is hope that the relief for this devastating storm will be shared amongst all affected.
Spencer Kerrigan is a second year media and culture major with a journalism minor.