NORTH CAROLINA – We’ve all seen photos and videos of the unimaginable devastation Hurricane Helene wrought in the hills and valleys of Appalachia and North Carolina. Mudslides covering highways and isolating mountain communities. Entire towns wiped off the map. Here are some of the survivors’ stories—and the ways your generosity made so much help possible.
JOE – SURVIVING IN A TENT VILLAGE
Named “the beautiful” by Native Americans, the Swannanoa River provided a peaceful home for many. After a hard day at work, Joe liked to return to his “little paradise” beside the river—listening to the flowing water, fishing, and enjoying the serenity around him. It had taken him many years to buy his dream house, and he felt an incredible bond with his land.
When Helene hit, the force of the river—engorged by the storm’s unheard-of rainfall—caught him off guard. He and his faithful dog, Bo, sought refuge at a neighbor’s house on higher ground. They waited together for hours as the rain pounded relentlessly. When the storm finally subsided, Joe was devastated to realize the river had entirely swept away his precious home. Like many of his neighbors, he had no flood insurance, and he also lost the car that allowed him to go to work each day.
Since then, Joe has been determined to rebuild. Along with others who live near the river, he’s staying on what’s left of his property. He was without water, electricity, and adequate shelter when we first met him.
When our Operation Blessing team saw Joe camping by the river, we asked how we could help him and his neighbors. Friends like you provided water, food, solar lamps, and generators—and offered prayers. Thanks to generous donations, we also gave him a new set of tools for work and a car to replace the one he lost, so he could return to his job. And we pray he will soon rediscover the peace he once found by the river, even as we work to help rebuild homes in the area.
MARIA AND SOMA – HOT MEALS AND A BURDEN EASED
After devastating the city of Asheville, North Carolina, Hurricane Helene left Maria and her 3-year-old son, Soma, without water or electricity. They began visiting our Operation Blessing base of operations so she could charge her electronic devices, take calls essential to her real estate business, and enjoy a hot meal with her son. She’d also bring a plate of food to her elderly mother, who depends on Maria. Your help eased the burden she carried.
“Every little bit helps,” Maria says, grateful for not only the meals but also the supplies she’s received. For Soma, a sweet boy with an infectious smile, the base is a temporary haven in the midst of uncertainty. It was also a beacon of hope for mother and son, offering not only the basics of survival but also the warmth of community and compassion during an immensely difficult time.
RICARDO – AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AFTER THE STORM
Sixteen-year-old Ricardo considers himself one of the lucky ones. After Hurricane Helene hit, his family’s North Carolina house had no major damage, even though he and his mother were left without water or electricity. And, he knew thousands of people had lost everything. So he looked for ways to lend a hand.
One day he noticed Operation Blessing hard at work in The Home Depot parking lot—preparing hot meals and distributing hygiene supplies thanks to your generosity. Ricardo asked if he could help. For weeks, he became a dedicated volunteer, arriving every day with his mother to assist our team— doing anything from restocking the kitchen to unloading trucks.
The storm had brought Ricardo some heartaches. He wasn’t sure when he’d be able to return to school. And the teenager had lost a close friend, one of many who didn’t survive the disaster. However, as he channeled his emotions into service, Ricardo was a wonderful reminder of the strength of community and the healing warmth of the human spirit—made possible by friends like you.
