Dare County Encourages community Support for Hurricane Helene relief & recovery efforts in Western North Carolina

(Dare County)

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impacts on western North Carolina, Dare County encourages members of the Outer Banks community to provide much-needed assistance to those who have been affected by the storm, which caused severe damage and destruction across the western portion of the state last week.

“The impacts of this disaster have come into clearer focus, prompting a strong desire from North Carolinians to help our neighbors in need,” said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray. “Round-the-clock operations are underway to bring these supplies to all communities that have been impacted by this storm. We are grateful that people are willing to help and encourage them to give in ways that are most useful to impacted communities and those working on the ground to help them.”

While organizing donation drives and dropping off various items that individuals and families who have been affected by the storm may need can be helpful, this particular approach to assisting in the recovery and relief efforts may not be the most effective way to assist impacted communities at this time.

“It’s humbling to be a small part of the effort underway at our state Emergency Operations Center to meet the needs of disaster survivors in western North Carolina,” said Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson. “I encourage everyone that wants to help to do what our state emergency management professionals ask: make a monetary donation or join a volunteer organization active in disaster. Doing so will help ensure both immediate and long-term needs can be fulfilled.”

There are several ways to help those impacted by the storm, including monetary donations and volunteering to support the ongoing relief and recovery efforts that are currently underway. Monetary donations to reputable relief organizations can provide immediate resources for displaced families and individuals, as well as infrastructure repairs and essential supplies. Additionally, volunteer efforts are crucial in helping to clear debris, assess and repair damage, distribute supplies and restore services for those hardest hit by the devastating storm.

“Our community has been on the receiving end of incredible generosity from our neighbors throughout the state many times over the years when we’ve been impacted by hurricanes and storms,” said Dare County Manager Bobby Outten. “People from across the state of North Carolina have always stepped up to help us in our time of need, and now it’s our opportunity to return the favor and assist the communities to our west that have been impacted so severely. By offering support through monetary donations and volunteer assistance, we not only show our unity as a state but can ultimately help bring some desperately needed relief to those whose lives have been forever changed by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.”

Make a Donation:

While all offers to assist those who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene are appreciated, coordination and strategic planning for donations, volunteers and other services is critical to the recovery response in western North Carolina. Dare County Emergency Management recommends that anyone who wishes to provide financial donations do so through the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund.

Donations made to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will go directly to nonprofit organizations working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims, such as food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies. All of the donations made through this fund will go to disaster relief.

How to Donate:
Those who would like to make a financial contribution to help assist the survivors of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina can currently do so online or by mail.

Online: To make a monetary donation to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund online, please visit NC.gov/Donate.

By Mail: To make a monetary donation by mail, please send checks to one of the following locations:

  • NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312
  • NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511

Volunteer to Help:

Volunteers are also needed to assist with the relief and recovery efforts that are currently underway throughout the many communities in western North Carolina that were affected by the storm.

A variety of volunteer opportunities are available through North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NCVOAD), which helps coordinate the appropriate response to realities on the ground in the impacted areas.

Volunteers can sign up to serve as an individual, family or group. Those who would like to volunteer can find more information about available opportunities and sign up to serve with a safe and experienced NCVOAD partner by visiting ncvoad.org/volunteer.

 

 

Dare County Deploys Multiple First Responders to Assist in Western North Carolina Relief and Recovery Efforts

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina last week, Dare County has deployed numerous first responders and a variety of resources to assist the communities that have been impacted by the disaster.

The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Social Services Division sent a five-person team to Asheville on Friday, October 4, 2024 to work at the state-supported shelter located at the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Conference Center. During the four days the team will be deployed, they will be working alongside teams from the Forsyth County Department of Social Services and the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services, managing the flow of residents in and out of the shelter, maintaining the “snack shack,” supporting meal distribution to the residents, and connecting residents with medical and mental healthcare. Their greatest task will be providing support for individuals and families who may not have a home to return to.

Text overlay reads, "Dare County Dept. of Health & Human Services Sends 5-Person Team to Asheville, N.C."

Image of the five-person team from the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Social Services Division that was deployed to Asheville, North Carolina to provide support and assistance to members of the community who were impacted by the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. From left to right: Social Worker III Latia Banks, Senior Income Maintenance Caseworker Hailee Reber, Senior Social Worker Supervisor Sally Laws, Social Work Supervisor Leigh Brinkley and Social Worker III Brittany Canter.


On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Dare County EMS deployed its second team to western North Carolina to relieve the initial team that was deployed to Rutherford County on Saturday, September 28, 2024. This team will continue assisting agencies in need of emergency rescue and relief services throughout Rutherford County or other areas of western North Carolina.

Text reads "Dare County EMS deploys second team to western N.C. to assist with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts"

Image of the Dare County EMS team that was deployed to western North Carolina on Thursday, October 3, 2024 to relieve the initial Dare County EMS team that was deployed to Rutherford County on Saturday, September 28, 2024. From left to right: Dare County EMS Captain Ryan Farrow, Advanced EMT Chris Dixon, Advanced EMT Fabiano Menezes de Souza and Paramedic Sean Darsee. This team will continue assisting agencies in need of emergency rescue and relief services in western North Carolina.


Additionally, Dare County EMS Deputy Chief Thomas Francisco was deployed to the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Raleigh on Thursday, October 3, 2024 to assist with statewide coordination efforts following Hurricane Helene.

Text reads, "Dare County EMS deploys Deputy Chief Thomas Francisco to N.C. Emergency Operations Center"

Image of Dare County EMS Deputy Chief Thomas Francisco, who was deployed to the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Raleigh to assist with the ongoing statewide coordination efforts.


Previously, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, a medic unit and a Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) with a total of four Dare County EMS first responders deployed to Rutherford County to assist with rescue and recovery efforts in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

Text reads, "Dare County EMS deploys first responders to western N.C. to assist with Hurricane Helene rescue and relief efforts."

Image of the Dare County EMS team that was deployed to western North Carolina on Saturday, September 28, 2024. From left to right: Advanced EMT Matt Cahill, Lieutenant Daisy Pierce, Paramedic Ben Abe and Advanced EMT Molly Greenwood.


Additionally, on Sunday, September 29, 2024, the Dare County Sheriff’s Officedeployed three telecommunicators and five sheriff’s deputies to Henderson County, to assist with the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts, and on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, a second team of deputies from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office was deployed to provide aid for those in need in McDowell County.

Text reads, "Dare County Sheriff's Office Deploys Deputies to Western N.C. to Assist with Hurricane Helene Rescue and Recovery Efforts"

Image of the Dare County Sheriff’s Office deputies that were deployed to western North Carolina on Sunday, September 29, 2024. From left to right: Dare County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant D. Gibbs, Deputy (K9) M. Sherrod, Deputy S. Pacitto, Deputy R. Hepler, Sergeant D. Mason and Deputy T. Eastman.


Text reads, "Dare County Sheriff's Office deploys second team to western N.C. to assist with Hurricane Helene recovery"

Image of the second team of sheriff’s deputies from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office that were deployed to McDowell County on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. From left to right: Deputy (K9) J. Pitetti, Deputy J. Williams, Investigator T. Coltrain, Deputy (S.R.O.) D. Grover, Lieutenant G. Fockler, Deputy (S.R.O.) S. Epps and Deputy M. Lester.


Across Dare County, additional volunteer and paid first responders, as well as town and county staff members with critical skill sets, are registered and awaiting deployment orders to head to western North Carolina when they are needed. We stand ready to help our neighbors who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene and are committed to continuing to offer support and assistance whenever and wherever it is needed.

For Updated Information:

For the most up-to-date information, always turn to trusted sources. Dare County Emergency Management encourages you to follow North Carolina Emergency Management, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and local county and town governments in the impacted areas on social media. For updates about the recovery efforts in western North Carolina from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, please visit NCDPS.gov/Helene

.