Over 500 miles. That’s how long Hurricane Helene’s path of destruction was from Florida all the way to Southern Appalachians, right where I live in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. A storm that has now been deemed “the worst natural disaster” seen in Watauga County’s modern history.
It’s not uncommon for us to have rainy days in our area, we’re part of the Appalachian Temperate Rainforest after all. But Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented rain and wind to our area, damaging critical roads and bridges, causing landslides, and flooding significant parts of our community. The photos in the news don’t quite capture the heartbreaking reality of the damage and the loss we’re experiencing. In the midst of the storm and its immediate aftermath, I’ve felt overwhelmed by the images and the videos taken by locals capturing the destruction in our area, each death announced a stab in the heart of our community.
This video below from Nelson Aerial Productions is the smallest of previews at the loss experienced in our town. Imagine this, multiplied, in the rural, unreachable parts of our mountains. That, is the depths of the loss in our area.
But do you know what I’ve seen too? Hope.
The people in our community have come together to take care of each other in such big ways. Restaurants with working kitchens have opened up to serve warm meals to those without power. Local coffee shops have opened to serve law enforcement, emergency workers, and locals with coffee, meals, and even WiFi. Life has been put on hold but everywhere around us members of our county are opening up their homes for showers, laundry, and cellphone charging. Churches have mobilized to clear trees, serve meals, and host relief organizations. Our community jumped into immediate action and we are stronger, and will be stronger, because of Helene. It has not broken and will not break us.
So what’s next? A time of recovery and rebuilding.
And maybe you’re looking for ways to support the High Country during this time, both in person or financially. First, thank you! Second, I’ve rounded up a couple of sources to link you in the right direction.
Donations
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is accepting donations to help with community and business relief in the High Country. This is a great way to ensure that funds are going straight to our community.
You can make a donation here: https://www.boonechamber.com/foundation
If you’re looking to make item-based donations, you can drop items off atThe Summit Pickleball at 278 Industrial Drive, Boone NC 28607 between 9AM and 6PM.
The Hope Center is also accepting material donations to help moms and babies in the area if you’d like to donate the following items:
- Diapers (size 3 and up)
- Pull-ups
- Baby Food (in plastic containers, not glass)
- Formula (both regular and hypoallergenic/non-dairy)
- Baby clothes
- Childbirth Education Class gifts for 3 couples: Boppy pillows, Diaper Bags and Baby Clothing (all three couples are having boys!)
You can text them at 828-265-4357 or email bsouth@choosehope.org or tcampbell@choosehope.org regarding your donations!
And if you want to support students, faculty, and staff at Appalachian State University experiencing hardship following Hurricane Helene you can give here!
Every single bit matters. Thank you.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you’re able to make it up the mountain safely for a day (or if you’re a local and looking for ways to help), Samaritan’s Purse is here on the ground in the High Country and taking volunteers straight to the homes of people in need to assist with tree work, debris cleanup, roof tarping, and mud outs. They’re currently scheduling volunteers through Saturday, November 2, 2024, and could use the help! They also have volunteers in Buncombe County if you’re looking to assist families in the Asheville area.
Sign up to volunteer at https://spvolunteer.org/.
Other volunteer opportunities in the area include (thanks for the list Boone Area Chamber of Commerce!):
- Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps is coordinating volunteers with state and national emergency response teams. You can sign up at https://forms.gle/AaKy78d2pL7V2sNk7.
- Down Home NC is accepting volunteers to conduct door-to-door community outreach in various counties across Western NC. For volunteer opportunities you can reach out via Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/downhomenc/
- The American Red Cross is also here in Watauga County and in need of shelter volunteers. You can sign up at: https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org/
I’m so grateful, so grateful for all those who have reached out, who have made donations to support the High Country, and who are here volunteering and helping our neighbors.
I also want to thank all of our local law enforcement, fire departments, and the teams of linemen and crews working all through the day and night to get power back up and our roads fixed. You are our heroes.
It’s going to be a long time before our community is fully back on its feet, but I am eternally grateful for those standing alongside my community during this difficult time.
Still here and stronger than ever as a resident of the High Country,
Paula Willison | A little bit of this, a little bit of that 
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