Want To Help AT Communities Recover From Hurricane Helene? Here’s How

Hurricane Helene brought high winds and devastating flooding to much of the southeastern US last week, and Appalachian Trail towns like Hot Springs, North Carolina, Erwin, Tennessee, and Damascus, Virginia were among those hardest hit by the storm.

Members of the communities that have supported AT thru-hikers for so many years now find themselves cut off by damaged roads and without power, reliable water, and critical supplies. Many have seen their homes and businesses damaged or destroyed. The overall death toll from Helene is now above 100.

The Appalachian Trail hiking community has long drawn support from these small towns, and now it’s time for hikers to return the favor. Many readers reached out to us over the weekend wanting to know how best they can help.

First, it’s important to recognize that right now, relief efforts are very much focused on rescue and damage control. It will be a while before any substantial rebuilding begins.

Donate

Many organizations prefer cash donations rather than donations of supplies, which can create logistical nightmares. Financial support gives organizations the flexibility to purchase exactly what they need.

Given the scale of the devastation, your best bet right now is probably to donate directly to the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is coordinating an extensive relief effort that includes providing shelter, food, supplies, and emotional support to affected areas. The organization will also assist with damage assessment and is working to help people locate missing loved ones.

You can donate online, by mail, or over the phone. Contributions are tax-deductible.

Donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Efforts

Other reputable organizations taking donations for Helene relief:

• United Way: Food, critical supplies, coordination with local partners.
• Salvation Army: Food, supplies, shelter, emotional and spiritual support, emotional services.
• GoFundMe (relief fund organized by GoFundMe itself, not a private individual). Provides direct grants to individuals who need help.
• AmeriCares: Focuses on medical aid.
• CARE: Emergency cash assistance to families.
• Florida Disaster Fund: Florida’s official private diaster relief fundraiser.
• Community Foundation of Western North Carolina: Nonprofit with unrestricted charitable funds.
• Eastern Tennessee Foundation: Provides disaster grants to fund local nonprofits.
• These three organizations recommended by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy:
  • North Carolina Relief Fund
  • Virginia Emergency Relief Fund
  • East Tennessee Action Fund
• ALDHA: The Appalachian Long Distance Hiking Association is establishing a fund to help hostel owners, trail service providers, and trail communities in greatest need. Donations of $20 or more also get you a one-year ALDHA membership.
• Sawyer Foundation: Sawyer is officially partnering with American Red Cross and Convoy for Hope. Funds will be earmarked for clean water.
• Beacon of Hope: Marshall, NC food bank (also supporting Hot Springs)
• Here’s a roundup of western North Carolina-specific organizations by Blue Ridge Public Radio.
• Aaaaand last of all we’re attaching a flyer from Cocke County, TN, home of Standing Bear Farm hostel, for anyone local who is able to donate in-person:

Volunteer as a GISCorps Photomapper

What the GISCorps Photomapper dashboard looks like. From

The organization GISCorps assists government officials during disasters by geolocating and mapping photos from the disaster. Essentially, they’re looking for volunteers who can help them map storm damage by using some detective skills to pinpoint the exact locations of Helene-related photos circulated via news outlets and social media.

Mapping the damage will help local leaders to coordinate a response. All you need is a PC or laptop, a decent internet connection, and basic tech skills.

Volunteer with GISCorps

Give Emergency Services Room To Work

While many are keen to render on-the-ground assistance in the aftermath of Helene, the current lack of transportation infrastructure in the region, coupled with limited manpower for training volunteers and a broader need for damage assessment at this point, means most organizations aren’t yet looking for on-the-ground volunteers.

In fact, local officials are actively discouraging people from coming to the region at this point. For instance, Damascus, Virginia has asked non-residents to stay away for the time being. Similarly, all national forests in Georgia and North Carolina (as well as Great Smoky Mountains National Park) have asked visitors to postpone their trips and stay out for now.

Conditions in the region remain unstable, and emergency responders have their hands full enough without devoting additional resources to helping visitors. So whether you want to visit the region to hike or help out, now is not the best time.

If you have loved ones in the affected area, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you text rather than call them to keep lines clear for emergency services.

From October 1st through 3rd, The Trek will donate 100% of store sales proceeds to the North Carolina Relief Fund, Virginia Emergency Relief Fund, and East Tennessee Action Fund.

Featured image: Flooding and damage at Spring Creek Tavern in Hot Springs, NC. Photo: Illuminated Crow