The effects of Hurricane Helene are almost unfathomable. Unthinkable numbers of Americans are literally stranded in elevated pockets scattered across mountainous Western North Carolina. Many of the region’s small towns are accessed by only two or three roads, most of which feature any number of bridges located on the sides of mountains, inconveniently positioned for repair crews.

There’s no official tally of road losses. But in the aftermath of the storm, all roads in Western North Carolina were closed. Whatever the number of substantially damaged roads, many roads have been mangled beyond easy repair, and many bridges were washed away in floods and mudslides. Those tiny mountaintop towns unlucky enough to lose both their access roads have been captured by nature and are completely cut off:  no power, no communications with the outside world, no water, no meds, and no easy way to get in or out.

They can’t even tell us they’re in trouble.

Four days ago, these stranded folks were sitting on the couch, in the air conditioning, surfing the Internet just like you and I are doing right now.

My sister lives in Hendersonville, NC. Thankfully, her home was spared major damage, and her daughter was able to get in to rescue them. She reported:

“What was difficult was that we had no power, no running water, no cell phone, and no internet. So effectively we were totally cut off from the world. We take for granted running water, toilets that flush, the ability to let people know how we are doing, knowledge of what is happening around us. We had no idea that we were under a curfew because we had no way to communicate.

“We are so grateful for our safety, but our hearts are broken and crushed as we see what has happened to our town and nearby towns and the beautiful Asheville that we love. So much destruction that makes our town look like a war zone. People are stranded with no way to get out, only a limited supply of food, no running water, and hungry babies and other issues. I felt so bad leaving all the hurting people behind as I was able to escape. So many are not able to escape and are pleading for help.”

If you want to give for the relief of those suffering from Hurricane Helene and want to be sure that the maximum amount of your donation actually goes to those in need, we recommend donating through Samaritan’s Purse. Find out more about their work here: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-those-in-helenes-path/

According to their 2023 Expenses - 85 cents on your dollar will go where you designate it to go

• 6.63% General and Administration
• 8.05% Fundraising
• 85.32% Ministry