Over the weekend, Hurricane Helene devastated more than 600 miles of the southeastern United States, from the Gulf Coast of Florida through Tennessee (NYTimes: Mapping the Destruction). Western North Carolina was hit especially hard with flooding, landslides, and collapsing highways and bridges, leaving the mountain region inaccessible and impassable from all directions. DriveNC.gov maintains a map of current road closures, warning that "All roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed and non-emergency travel is prohibited."
Widespread power outages and shortages of food and water have followed in the wake of the storm. While aid has begun to reach the region, recovery and repairs will be a slow and difficult process, and the full impact of the destruction is not yet known. The Asheville Citizen-Times and The Assembly NC have temporarily suspended their paywalls for hurricane-related coverage. If you are able to help, agencies are seeking monetary contributions as well as needed supplies. Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR) has compiled a helpful list of Ways to Donate and Help Flood Victims in North Carolina, featuring regional and local aid organizations.
If you know someone in the area who needs assistance, The Assembly has a guide to How to Get Help After Hurricane Helene. FEMA's Hurricane Helene information page also contains guidance for navigating the aftermath of the storm and requesting help. North Carolina's Department of Public Safety also maintains a page of Information and Resources on Hurricane Helene, connecting visitors to information about emergency shelters, missing persons, power outages, and options to report price gouging or repair scams.
The hurricane's path is a sobering reminder that natural disasters can strike anywhere, even in places that may generally be considered "safe" from such weather events. To learn more about best practices for preparing your own household for various emergencies, visit Ready.gov for resources to Make a Plan, Build an Emergency Kit, and plan for the safety of family pets as well as people. While an unprecedented disaster can upend even the most detailed emergency plans, advance preparation may be a life-saving measure.