Updated: June 16, 2025
The long road to recovery following Hurricane Helene continues be a long one for our siblings in western North Carolina, one it will take years to travel. We are committed to walking with them on this road, and we know you will be on this journey, too. Please explore this page thoroughly for updates and new information on ways you can help.
There are a multitude of ways both individuals and churches can help. What’s most helpful continues to be listening and responding to needs as requested by those on the ground in affected areas, and to use the distribution channels being organized or already in place.
WATCH: José McLoughlin, bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina, shared an update on April 22, 2025. | Transcript
A NEW WAY TO HELP: PLAN A WESTERN NC GETAWAY!
Though the rebuilding of affected areas of western North Carolina will take years, it is also true that some areas are further along in their recovery and starting to reopen.
If you are planning a summer getaway, give some thought to returning to the western part of our beautiful state, especially those areas dependent on tourism to thrive. Many parts of the area, including Asheville and Tryon, are open and ready to welcome you, and your support of local businesses will do a great deal in contributing to long-term recovery efforts.
There are resources to help you plan your getaway:
Visit NC: “The Visit North Carolina Call Center provides updated statewide travel information from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Call 1-800-VISITNC (800-847-4862). Travel counselors at North Carolina’s official Welcome Centers also provide live assistance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Recent travel updates are also available online as a part of the Western North Carolina Travel Advisory.”
Visit the Western North Carolina Travel Advisory for a county-by-county update of what’s open and ready for you to enjoy.
HOW YOU CAN HELP AREAS STILL RECOVERING:
NEW: The Diocese of Western North Carolina has created a volunteer resource guide to help you know how you can help, and what to expect when you arrive. We encourage you to explore this guide.
FINANCIAL DONATIONS
Funds to rebuild the western part of the state continue to be needed and welcome. If you feel called to give, please consider one of the following:
- Diocese of Western NC: Select “Partners in Mission” from the drop-down menu, and add “Hurricane Helene” in the memo box. Funds donated directly to the diocese will be used at the discretion of diocesan and response team leadership.
- Episcopal Relief & Development: The disaster response team continues to work with the Diocese of Western NC. Donate
PRAY
Those in affected regions are overwhelmed and exhausted. They need your ongoing prayers. Episcopal Relief & Development has offered some liturgical resources for use in services and other channels.
STEM THE TIDE OF MISINFORMATION
There is a great deal of misinformation going around relating to Hurricane Helene relief efforts, especially on social meda. As you can imagine, it makes the job of those responding that much harder. Help stem the tide of misinformation; get your information from trusted resources, and verify any information you share is from a reliable source. Some reliable sources to consider:
- NC Department of Public Safety (page dedicated to Hurricane Helene relief efforts) | Information links by county
- FEMA (page dedicated to Hurricane Helene)
ITEM COLLECTION
We know how good churches are at collecting items needed! Unless specifically requested by an organization with which ou are working in direct partnership, we do encourage in lieu of item collection, please consider a financial donation to those agencies in a position both to purchase the items most needed AND deliver them to affected areas.
SHARE AVAILABLE RESOURCES
If you or an organization with which you are associated have resources to share (trucks, trailers, construction supplies, warehouse/storage space, etc.), please share them here. The information will go to coordinators in the Diocese of Western NC; resources submitted will be matched with needs requests.
WORK IN PARTNERSHIP
If you wish to work in partnership with an Episcopal church in an impacted area, please visit the Diocese of Western NC hurricane information page for church status, and work happening in those able to be a resource.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Recovery efforts continue across the region. If you feel a call to volunteer in impacted areas, please work through an agency whose efforts are established and organized.
*If you have volunteer needs and/or opportunities to share, please contact us.
AGENCIES
*If you wish to serve through one of these agencies, please be in touch with them directly to coordinate your plan. We will add other agencies as we have them.
All Hands and Hearts
American Red Cross
Baptists on Mission | Volunteer : Needs – construction and labor; Locations – Boone, Spruce Pine, Hendersonville and Marion
Hands on Asheville – Buncombe County
Samaritan’s Purse | Volunteer
United Way of Henderson County
HUBS OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
NC211 (United Way)
Hurricane Helene Community Support Hub | Volunteer needs
JustServe | Hurricane relief volunteer opportunities (includes opportunities outside of impact area)
NCVOAD | Hurricane relief opportunities
Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC | Hurricane page
ADDITIONAL RELIEF INFORMATION SOURCES
Diocese of Western North Carolina: Hurricane Relief Hub
Diocese of Western North Carolina: Asheville Relief Facebook page
Blue Ridge Public Radio (Western NC) | List of ways to help
FROM FEMA
If you know of individuals in impacted areas that need assistance, please refer to the following information from FEMA:Help for Individuals & Families
Disaster Recovery Centers
Local Resources
How to Help
Funding Obligations
Fact Sheets
