Hurricane Helene Recovery Update – October 9, 2024
Hurricane Helene Recovery Update – October 9, 2024
Dear MountainTrue Family,
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the MountainStrong Recovery Fund . When we planned for 2024, we never anticipated the historic flooding and widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. But your support allowed us to respond quickly to immediate needs—and it will continue to help us tackle the long road ahead. If you haven’t yet made a donation, we hope you will consider doing so today. See below to learn more about MountainTrue’s response efforts.
As our region shifts from crisis response to recovery, there is much work to be done. We will focus on restoring our rivers, rebuilding access to our forests, advocating for stronger land-use policies in response to our changing climate, and addressing the housing crisis that has been made even more urgent by the storm.
Our staff is already hard at work inventorying damage to critical infrastructure, testing for soil and water contamination, and coordinating volunteer efforts from clean-ups to supply runs. Below, you can read more about our progress and the work that lies ahead.
Our region’s recovery will take years, but together, we can rebuild a stronger, more resilient future. Thank you, again, for your ongoing support, donations, and volunteerism.
We couldn’t do this without you,
Bob Wagner
Executive Director
Safety Alert: Best Practices & PPE for Post-Helene River Cleanups
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
- Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
- Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
- N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
- Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
- Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
- Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.
New WNC Farmer Resource Guide Available
MountainTrue’s new WNC Farmer Resource Guide serves as a one-stop shop for agricultural producers in the region to find support for all aspects of growing crops and raising livestock. It compiles non-profit, local, state, and federal resources to streamline the process of finding the help you need, all in one place. Check it out here.
French Broad Watershed Science & Policy Manager Anna Alsobrook (second from right) and Paddle Trail Manager Jack Henderson (right) work with volunteers to pass out hot meals at the Southside Community Center in Asheville.
New WNC Hurricane Recovery Resource Guide Available
Check out MountainTrue’s Hurricane Helene Resource Guide for essential information on disaster relief, community support services, and ways to get involved in recovery efforts across Western North Carolina. From food and water distribution to well water testing kits, this guide connects you with the resources you need during the recovery process.
https://mountaintrue.org/helene-resource-guide/
MountainTrue’s Roundup: Responding to Hurricane Helene
Clean Waters Team
French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson taking a soil sample in Marshall, NC.
French Broad Riverkeeper: Hartwell Carson and his team were among the first to respond, serving over 2,500 meals and distributing clean water through a mobile grilling operation during the days immediately after the storm. With water quality being a top concern, the French Broad Riverkeeper team has conducted an extensive tour of the watershed to assess damage, taken E. coli samples, and identified several sources of pollution that they are now working to remedy. We’ve collected a soil sample near Silverline Plastics in Woodfin to assess contamination risks, with results expected from Pace Analytical next week. We have plans to collect soil samples from other industrial sites across the watershed, and we are offering well-water testing kits to affected residents. Our team is also hosting our first River Cleanup to remove debris and mitigate pollution in the French Broad.
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- RAD Cleanup: Meet us Friday morning (10/11) @ 10:30 a.m. at the original Wedge Brewing Co. parking lot, 37 Paynes Way, Asheville, NC 28801.
- Free Well Water Testing Kits: If your well has been flooded or flood waters pooled around your well, then we recommend having your well tested for bacteria pollution. We don’t currently have resources to test every well, so we are asking that just wells that were flooded be tested. Pick up your well testing kit from 9-12 and return it back at by 3 pm. We will provide you with all the necessary equipment and instructions for well sampling, and we will have the results ready the next day. Thursday (10/10) from 9-3 pm at Piney Mountain United Methodist Church, 14 Piney Mountain Church Rd, Candler, NC 28715
Green Riverkeeper Erica Shanks (kneeling at left) with a group of volunteers who helped distribute food and water in Saluda. This was only about a quarter of the volunteers that Erica mobilized.
Green Riverkeeper: In the Green River watershed, we’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of over 150 volunteers from across the Southeast and beyond, including states like South Carolina, Georgia, Wyoming, Kentucky, and Virginia. Green Riverkeeper Erica Shanks focused our relief efforts on communities such as Saluda, Bat Cave, Gerton, and Big Hungry. Partnering with H20 Dreams, we set up a supply distribution center at our Saluda office, offering drive-through services for those in need of food, hygiene products, baby supplies, and even gas for chainsaws and generators. As other local organizations have gained their footing, we’ve wrapped up our distribution efforts, passing donations on to Collaborative De Milpa, CAJA Solidaria, French Broad River Academy, and Beloved Asheville.
In addition to relief distribution, we worked with fire and rescue teams from Saluda, Gerton, Skyland, and Fairview to clear access points and assist with search and rescue missions.
Broad Riverkeeper: Our Broad Riverkeeper team has been on the ground helping distribute meals and resources while conducting wellness checks in impacted communities. We’ve partnered with local groups to make sure that no one is left without support in the aftermath of the storm.
Watauga Riverkeeper Andy Hill delivering oxygen via 4×4 to hard-to-reach areas impacted by Helene.
Watauga Riverkeeper: The Watauga Riverkeeper team has been busy delivering supplies to hard-to-reach areas, conducting wellness checks, and inventorying river debris and infrastructure failures. Our Watauga Riverkeeper, Andy Hil, has been offering wilderness first aid to those injured, while his partner, Bettie Hill, helped set up a rapid response shelter and medical clinic that is now being managed by DHHS and the Red Cross. We’re also partnering with Wine to Water to distribute water filters, and this Thursday, we’ll be holding a river cleanup with their support. Beyond water-based relief, our team worked with Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture to clean up local farms and volunteered with Farm Café, serving meals to those in need. We’ve also been collaborating with DHHS to set up well water testing kits in the community.
- Free Well Water Testing Kits: If your well or spring was submerged in the flood, the Watauga Riverkeeper team is set up in Zionville Ramp Company (ZRC) (11878 US-421, Trade, TN 37691) for free E.coli bacteria testing of wells and springs for the coming weeks. Pick up and drop off of sample bottles can occur from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The sample bottles and instruction/ID sheets are set up in front of the water station. Once you pick up a sampling bottle, fill the sample bottle according to the instructions and return it within 30 hours with your sample ID sheet. Our Water Team will run the sample in the lab, and get results back to you after 24 hours.
- Watauga River Cleanup: WRK is partnering with Wine to Water on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting next week to begin restoration and clean-up efforts along Winkler’s Creek at the Boone Greenway. Beginning at 9 a.m., we will meet at Wine to Water (689 George Wilson Rd. Boone, NC) to discuss PPE and our goals and to hand out supplies. Be sure to bring lunch and plenty of water. If you have them, please bring gloves, eye protection, masks, etc. At 9:30 a.m., we will head over to the Boone Greenway in the Fire Station #2 parking lot & gear up. We anticipate the clean-up lasting from 10-3 p.m. along our adopted stream section.
Resilient Forests Team
Our Resilient Forests team has been inventorying damage to public lands and forests. We’re currently seeking substantial funding to hire professionally trained chainsaw crews to clear fallen trees and debris from public lands, helping to reopen trails and restore access to these vital areas.
Healthy Communities Director Chris Joyell with Christine Wright of LG Electronics at the LG Laundry Relief Zone they worked to set up at the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville.
Healthy Communities Team
In Asheville, we teamed up with LG Electronics, Rep. Chuck Edwards, the City of Asheville, Water to Wine, Shelton Oil & Transport Co., Shook’s Construction, and Freelance Drilling to set up a mobile laundry service at The Basilica of St. Lawrence. This service is helping low-income seniors, especially those living in the Vanderbilt and Battery Park Apartments, by providing them with free laundry services during this difficult time.
In Henderson County, our Healthy Communities Organizer, Nancy Diaz, has been hard at work helping El Centro with FEMA applications and coordinating a small team to deliver supplies to mobile home communities in Henderson County.
Creation Care Alliance
In the immediate aftermath of Helene, CCA Director Sarah Ogletree transformed her home in Bakersville into a makeshift community hub, using a Starlink wireless connection to help neighbors stay connected and a dry-erase board to share news regarding road closures and supply distribution. Through Creation Care Alliance partners and personal relationships, Sarah has been coordinating relief efforts to bring much-needed aid to her community, distributing emergency funds through mutual aid organizing and coordinating supply drops to underserved communities in Mitchell and Yancey counties. Now operating from Sylva as a climate refugee, Sarah is working in partnership with First Presbyterian Church of Spruce Pine, Saint John’s Episcopal Church of Sylva, First Baptist Church of Sylva, and French Broad River Academy to ensure that rural communities receive the support they need. Sarah needs volunteers to sort and pack donations in Sylva and volunteer drivers to help transport supplies. These are long-term needs. If you can offer support for this work in the coming weeks and months, call or text Sarah at 828-506-9467.
MountainTrue member Sarah Kauk volunteered at the Haywood County Food and Water Distribution Center at Woodland Baptist Church in Waynesville.
Western Region Team
While most of the western region escaped the worst of the storm, Haywood County was hit hard. Our Western Region team, led by Western Regional Director Callie Moore and MountainTrue Board Member Katherine Taaffe, has been collecting and delivering relief supplies and volunteering to support ongoing distribution efforts in the area.
MountainTrue’s hurricane response has been powered by strong community partnerships and the tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers. We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and collaboration from organizations and individuals alike. Together, we’re making a difference as we help our Southern Blue Ridge Mountains recover and build resilience for the future.
