Aid finally arrives in remote Western NC town whose lone road was battered by Helene

“The highway is gone,” said Mark Harrison, medical officer for the Pensacola Fire Department. “Most of the homes are gone.” Harrison describes the relief effort following Hurricane Helene, and the medical supplies the community needs.
Video by Robert Willett / The News & Observer
Read more: www.newsobserv...
How to make donations to NC storm victims:
NC Disaster Relief Fund
How to donate online: Visit nc.gov/donate. You can also make a contribution to the disaster fund by mailing donations to the following addresses:
How to donate by mail: Donations can be sent to NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312 or NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511.
American Red Cross
How to donate online: Visit redcross.org/donate
How to donate by mail: Send a check donation form and check to: American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839. To send via FedEx or UPS, send check and donation form to American Red Cross, c/o CDS Global, 2005 Lakewood Drive, Boone, IA 50036.
How to donate by phone: Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669).
CARE
How to donate online: my.care.org.
How to donate by mail: Send in donation form with check or credit card information to: CARE, Gift Center, P.O. Box 1870, Merrifield VA 22116-8070
How to donate by phone: Call 1-800-422-7385.
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
How to donate online: Visit cfwnc.fcsuite.com.
United Way
How to donate online: Visit unitedway.org/hurricane-helene.
You can find more information about volunteer opportunities with VolunteerNC, meal assistance with local food banks and a list of more vetted disaster relief organizations to make donations to online at ncdps.gov.
More from The News & Observer:
Subscribe: bit.ly/2PqkZ1q
Twitter: / newsobserver
Facebook: / newsandobserver
Website: www.newsobserv...
Digital news subscription: bit.ly/2OtBg1Q

[@curiouscat3384]

Thank you for highlighting these remote small towns. They somehow need to know they are not forgotten or neglected

[@ashleighjaimaosborne3966]

You wrote it, they are remote and getting to them is sometimes problematic.

[@pamelamcgurk2101]

Thank you for the updates , please make sure to mention the area you r in multiple times. I vacation up in the toe river: burnsville area , an worried about all of yall.

[@jm00727]

And the church still stands. Thank you! God bless.

[@Sunny-kn6th]

It’s a very sad day when methadone is the first mentioned important medication

[@Gemni65]

@@Sunny-kn6th and that’s why people stayed was to protect their property from the drug users and looters not because they were not warned

[@LoloO42]

My thought exactly. We are in a drug pandemic. And it's not even being addressed in this election year.

[@Gemni65]

@@LoloO42 no one can save you from yourself but you people know the dangers of drugs and they still continue to do them. No politician can stop you from drinking alcohol or drugs

[@Yo-6495]

@@LoloO42it is being addressed. When you have open borders (like we do currently) you get high amounts of drugs flowing into our country. You also need to look at the country supplying chemicals to Mexico, which is China. The only reason China is able to keep supplying the cartels, is because we shipped many jobs over there including our drug making ability. If we started manufacturing everything in the USA, China would have no power over us. But if we tried to sanction them now we'd only hurt ourselves.

[@lady.a.7647]

@@Yo-6495 It's a shame that trump still had so much power over the sitting republicans that he was able to convince them to vote against the border bill just so he can have them vote for it if he gets elected.

[@faisonhoward9191]

Don't toot your horn yet..still alot of hurting people out there ❤

[@curiouscat3384]

Who's tooting their horn? What a cynical thing to say. He's one person who is doing great things and was asked to interview, he didn't go looking for fame or adulation. You diminish his work by saying such a thing!

[@sandraryan2256]

Please send help

[@angelamills5777]

All that but church stillhiibg strong God house go and pray

[@backyardbreeze112]

It would have been lovely if God could have stepped in and stopped all the deaths..but..I guess he was busy..

[@juliethompson8685]

​@@backyardbreeze112 Busy showing us what climate change means for our future. No one seems convinced......even now.

[@bambesfresser]

@@juliethompson8685 Most of the world gets it. Just half of the US doesn't.

[@RationalNon-conformist]

@juliethompson8685 The climate has been cheating for years and years, you can’t stop it.

[@stephenkern5784]

Don't send anything to Lake Lure. The asst. Chief and town manager have a plan! 😅😅😅😅😅

[@KardyEden922]

What about Nebo North Carolina??? Anyone know anyone who is from there????

[@mr.christopher79]

i drove to marion from morganton the other day, it didnt look too bad but that was on 40

[@johnmorganjr769]

God bless my friends in Cane and S. Toe river valleys. 🏞 🙏

[@Gk2003m]

FEMA’s fault obviously. The storm hit this region six days ago! FEMA should have rebuilt and replaced that road already, and should be halfway complete on rebuilding every building in the area.

[@sandraryan2256]

We deserve to know why, so little so late.?

[@bambesfresser]

Sarcasm?

[@Gk2003m]

@@bambesfresser I would hope it’s obvious… the fact that it’s not is kinda sad, isn’t it. At this point, less than a full week after Helene blasted North Carolina, we already have three full days of the rightwing media and blogosphere claiming the region has been ‘abandoned’ by the federal government. Claiming FEMA has ‘failed’. Etc. All the usual talking points.

[@kjpcgaming9296]

FEMA doesn't build roads. IDK who told you this but they were lying. The president has guaranteed reimbursement for all towns and counties for rebuilding infrastructure. It's in the infrastructure bill that he signed a year ago.

[@annesandstrommusic7538]

I assume you’re being sarcastic.

[@daleolson3506]

Who cares about methadone?those people are just a liability.

[@28704joe]

MAGA is in the chat.

[@johnharris3335]

North Carolina does not need FEMA unless FEMA is going to rebuild and put everything back together and clean everything up. North Carolina will need millions or billions of dollars in these small towns to rebuild.

[@Tbrew-zd6xb]

@john many of these places were sun down towns. It's called biblical judgement

[@backyardbreeze112]

I agree. However if these towns swing republican, they never want to help any hard hit areas in blue states. They don't believe the federal government should exist and they deny the science of climate change. Many, not all, of these are the very people who would sceam against help for New York or California after a disaster.

[@28704joe]

You are obviously unconcerned about the immediate plight of these people.

[@bambesfresser]

Not sure how serious you meant this comment but if you do are you also one of those folks that like low taxes and don't want the feds tell them what they can do or not do on their land? Rural areas disproportionally require more tax revenues that they generate due to the low population. Any infrastructure is costly and the costs are borne by the public. The real question is whether we make smarter decisions where to rebuild.

[@kjpcgaming9296]

Again, this isn't what FEMA does. FEMA provides immediate funds for people (already being disbursed to well over a million people) provides assistance to people who need shelter, food and medicine. They do not build roads or houses or god forbid churches. Absurd reaction.

[@abby4-m4p]

methadone?

[@hughjass1835]

A lot of junkies in small towns, unfortunately

[@Angelo-fo8de]

It was that way back in the early 90s when I’d vacation there .

[@AzBansheez]

what an absolute disgrace the federal governments response has been. God Bless.

[@theresamariegoesplaces9688]

The only disgrace here is people like you spreading lies Shameful

[@AZsunflower]

You do realize this disaster in widespread? Good grief! Remember Katrina? Response was non-existant for days. The wonderful thing is people are helping each other! That is what Americans do!😊

[@TwitX2007]

You are absolutely spot on!

[@thatgardeninggirl2864]

I'mfrom the area Its a joke No government here in 107/Jonesboro Only help is us helping one another​@@theresamariegoesplaces9688

[@tenerifecats6652]

Oh look…there’s a coast guard helicopter and we are seeing army…kinda debunks your comment.

[@JackMorningstar-nm8gc]

!

[@calvinlamb8512]

Hate to say this but western North Carolina is extremely liberal and I’m afraid they are seeing the consequences of their choices where is their government officials they voted for when they need them

[@lady.a.7647]

They are making sure the help they need is delivered.

[@jeffcombs2950]

Methadone, we need to be sure the addicts get their dope.

[@robertpalmer3166]

Pretty cool how perfect you are.

[@weytogoman]

It also helps those old folks addicted to pain meds ...

[@benmcdaniels1]

Wow what a way to put down a huge majority of people either directly or indirectly

[@robertpalmer3166]

@@benmcdaniels1 Jeff has zero self awareness.

[@28704joe]

Some Christians aren't hypocrites like you.

[@davidarmola6218]

These are the "Last" of the "Last Day's" Matthew 24:3-14. Jesus said it would be this way during the time of his "Presence" and the "Conclusion" of this system of things. He said there would be "Fearful Sights" during this time period. Compare Luke 21:11. The extreme weather changes, fires, flooding, famines and Hurricanes are all part of the composite "Sign" he gave mankind to watch for before the End comes. The End is imminent. Seek God and his righteousness, seek meekness, seek Gods Kingdom while there is still time. Zephaniah 2:3. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the affected people.

[@JoanneBelliveau-i4z]

People in N.c need to be evacuate your government did not do it they storm was coming that what you get mountain People back woods People

[@sandraryan2256]

Your mean

[@GoldenAntiquesTNC]

You speak out of ignorance.

[@RationalNon-conformist]

I love seeing comments like this made by miserable and judgmental people.. no one wants you around in times of tragedy!

[@Gemni65]

This what happens when you need to evacuate and don’t I hear that nobody told them to evacuate. As a grown adult you can make your on decisions IT’s your life and they decided to roll the dice and lost

[@dacianbonta2840]

those sneaky, crafty, victims!

[@Gemni65]

@@dacianbonta2840 I’m a victim to because of the rain and I’m a victim because the sun shone on me this morning omg I’m a victim because the wind blew on me it’s foggy I’m a victim 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Americans 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@theresamariegoesplaces9688]

What is wrong with you?

[@Gemni65]

@@theresamariegoesplaces9688 why because I ask real tough questions or I don’t feel sorry for people when they made the decisions that put them in that situation

[@curiouscat3384]

Most likely they did not hear warnings to evacuate. Nobody knew what that storm was going to do in advance

[@AhmedMonir-kx8rs]

ْ[5:109] In the day when Allah gathereth together the messengers, and saith: What was your response (from mankind) ? they say: We have no knowledge. Lo! Thou, only Thou art the Knower of Things Hidden, [5:110] When Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favour unto thee and unto thy mother; how I strengthened thee with the holy Spirit, so that thou spakest unto mankind in the cradle as in maturity; and how I taught thee the Scripture and Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and how thou didst shape of clay as it were the likeness of a bird by My permission, and didst blow upon it and it was a bird by My permission, and thou didst heal him who was born blind and the leper by My permission; and how thou didst raise the dead by My permission; and how I restrained the Children of Israel from (harming) thee when thou camest unto them with clear proofs, and those of them who disbelieved exclaimed: This is naught else than mere magic; [5:111] And when I inspired the disciples, (saying): Believe in Me and in My messenger, they said: We believe. Bear witness that we have surrendered (unto Thee) "we are muslims". [5:112] When the disciples said: O Jesus, son of Mary! Is thy Lord able to send down for us a table spread with food from heaven ? He said: Observe your duty to Allah, if ye are true believers. [5:113] (They said:) We wish to eat thereof, that we may satisfy our hearts and know that thou hast spoken truth to us, and that thereof we may be witnesses. [5:114] Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Allah, Lord of us! Send down for us a table spread with food from heaven, that it may be a feast for us, for the first of us and for the last of us, and a sign from Thee. Give us sustenance, for Thou art the Best of Sustainers. [5:115] Allah said: Lo! I send it down for you. And whoso disbelieveth of you afterward, him surely will I punish with a punishment wherewith I have not punished any of (My) creatures. [5:116] And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah ? he saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right. If I used to say it, then Thou knewest it. Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I know not what is in Thy Mind. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Knower of Things Hidden ? [5:117] I spake unto them only that which Thou commandedst me, (saying): Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. I was a witness of them while I dwelt among them, and when Thou tookest me Thou wast the Watcher over them. Thou art Witness over all things. [5:118] If Thou punish them, lo! they are Thy slaves, and if Thou forgive them (lo! they are Thy slaves). Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Mighty, the Wise. [5:119] Allah saith: This is a day in which their truthfulness profiteth the truthful, for theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they are secure for ever, Allah taking pleasure in them and they in Him. That is the great triumph. [5:120] Unto Allah belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is therein, and He is Able to do all things.