Catastrophic impacts from Tropical Storm Helene devastate Appalachia

In a period of three days, Southern and Central Appalachia experienced unprecedented rainfall from a combination of a historic rain event and Tropical Storm Helene. Catastrophic flooding, landslides and extreme wind gusts have ravaged the region. Entire towns are isolated as access to roads has been shut off by flooding and landslides while cellular service has been degraded, shut off or overwhelmed. Reports indicate that some areas received up to 30 inches of rain.

Climate change is fueling the increased size and severity of these storms. These are our homes and communities that will have to recover from the damage for months — perhaps years —  to come.

As information continues to trickle in on the havoc caused by this disastrous event, we are sharing efforts to get relief to impacted areas. We welcome information on places that are accepting donations, if you would like to contribute, please email us at: floodresources[at]appvoices.org. Below are some ways that you can help during this difficult time.

Resources

Ways to give

Verified organizations accepting online donations for relief:

Tennessee

North Carolina

Kentucky

Virginia

Shelters:

Tennessee

  • Johnson County
    • First Christian Church 401 W Main St. Mountain City, TN
  • Cocke County
    • Newport Community Center 433 Prospect Ave. Newport, TN
  • Carter County
    • Cloudland Elementary School 8540 Highway 19 Roan Mountain, TN
  • Greene County
    • Ashby United Methodist Church 201 S Main St. Greeneville, TN
  • Washington County
    • Cherry Grove Baptist 104 Cherry Grove Rd. Jonesborough, TN
  • Unicoi County
    • Clinchfield Senior Adult Center 220 Union St. Erwin, TN
  • Sullivan County
    • Bristol Motor Speedway
      Medallion Campground
      151 Speedway Blvd
      Bristol, TN

Virginia

  • Fort Chiswell High School
  • Marion Senior High
    • 848 Stage St.
      Marion, VA
  • Brookside Baptist Church
    • 5523 Sugar Grove Highway Sugar Grove, VA
  • Carnes Gym
    • 505 E 5th St. Big Stone Gap, VA
  • Coeburn Middle School

North Carolina

  • WNC Agriculture Center
    • 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd. Asheville, N.C.
  • Appalachian State University Dining Hall
    • 480 Rivers St. Boone, N.C. Open to all, no university affiliation required, for food, power, internet access
  • Athletics and Activities Center
    • 708 South Grove St. Hendersonville, N.C.
  • Glenwood Baptist Church
    • 155 Glenwood Baptist Church Rd. Marion, N.C.
  • National Guard Armory
    • 235 Armory Drive Clyde, N.C.
  • First Baptist Church Swannanoa
    • 503 Park St. Swannanoa, N.C.
  • Trinity Baptist Church
    • 216 Shelburn Rd. Asheville, N.C.
  • Oak Hill Methodist Church
    • 2239 NC 181 Morganton, N.C.
  • West Caldwell High School
    • 300 West Caldwell Dr. Lenoir, N.C.
  • Jackson County Department of Aging
    • 100 County Services Park
      Sylva, N.C.
  • Lincoln County Middle School
    • 2361 Startown Rd.
      Lincolnton, N.C.
  • Polk County High School
    • 1681 NC 108 Highway East
      Columbus, N.C.
  • South Toe Elementary School
    • 139 South Toe School Rd.
      Burnsville, N.C.
  • West Yancey VFD
    • 6557 US Highway 19
      Burnsville, N.C.

Kentucky

  • Perry County
    • First Presbyterian Church – Red Cross shelter
    • East Perry Elementary
    • West Perry Elementary
    • Roy G. Eversole Elementary
    • Gospel Light Baptist Church
    • Second Creek Church of God
    • Buckhorn Lake State Resort Lodge
  • Floyd County
    • Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
    • Floyd County Community Center
  • Breahitt County
    • Breathitt County Courthouse
  • Knott County
    • Knott County Sportsplex
  • Letcher County
    • Letcher County High School
    • Pine Mountain Grill
    • The General Store
    • Letcher County VFW
    • Waggin Tails Pet Resort is sheltering displaced pets
  • Pike County
    • Valley Elementary School
    • East Kentucky Dream Center
    • New Beginnings Fellowship Church
  • Leslie County
    • W.B. Muncy Elementary
  • Wolfe County
    • Wolfe County Middle School

Donation drop-off centers:

Right now, government officials are warning people to stay off roads in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, so we are withholding from listing donation centers in those areas. Donation centers in areas not affected by the flooding are available.

North Carolina

  • Walmart Parking Lot
    • 5825 Thunder Rd NW, Concord, N.C. 28027, starting Sunday, Sept. 29, for Operation Airlift
  • Back Alley Bikes
    • 100 Boyd St.  Carrboro, NC 27510. Open Tues. thru Sat. 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
  • Rumah
    • 415 Hillborough St.  Raleigh, N.C. 27603 Drop off during events, see calendar for more information
  • Art Post
    • 718 Iredell St. Durham, N.C. 27705 Accepting donations starting Monday Sept. 30 Monday-Saturday 12-6
  • The Scrap Exchange
    • 2050 Chapel Hill Rd. Durham, N.C. 27707. 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Virginia

  • Newport Community Center
    • 434 BlueGrass Trail. Newport, Va. 24218 Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tennessee

  • Boones Creek Church- Student Ministry
    • 2684 Boones Creek Rd.
      Johnson City, TN 37615
  • Elizabethton Parks and Rec Center 
    • 300 West Mill St.
      Elizabethton, TN 37643
  • Jonesborough Washington Co. Public Library
    • 200 Sabin Dr. Jonesborough, TN 37659

Flood relief supplies to donate:

  • Heavy duty trash bags
  • Work Gloves
  • Shovels
  • Rakes
  • 5 gallon buckets
  • Crowbars/pry bars
  • Hammers
  • Pump sprayers
  • Wheelbarrows
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Pump sprayers
  • Paper towels
  • Laundry soap
  • Pre-made first aid kits
  • N95/KN95 face masks
  • Batteries
  • Charged power bricks and power cords
  • Scrub brushes
  • Duct tape
  • Kitchen dishwashing gloves or nitrile gloves
  • Utility knives
  • Box fans
  • New bedding
  • New bath towels
  • Brand new undergarments
  • New blankets (still in packaging)
  • Water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Baby formula
  • Diapers
  • Bleach
  • Disinfectant
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Tarps
  • Toiletries including menstrual care items
  • Pet supplies