Disaster relief: Here’s how to help
It’s been over a month since Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc throughout the Southeast, but the effort to rebuild has only just begun.
Western North Carolina, in particular, suffered catastrophic damage that will take years to recover from. To help speed that recovery, the hardware and building supply industry is stepping up. Ruth Kellick-Grubbs, a longtime business advisor in the LBM world, is helping to spearhead and coordinate the effort to support affected people, communities and businesses.
In a letter shared with the LBM community, Kellick-Grubbs offers a sobering view of the situation. She writes:
“There is utter, widespread, catastrophic devastation. Early estimates are that over 126,000 homes have been severely damaged or destroyed. Hurricane force winds of 80-100 MPH hit before the main rain event, knocking down thousands and thousands of trees, power lines and cell towers. The rain event triggered incomprehensible flash flooding and over 1,400 landslides. Creeks and rivers were up to 28 feet over the top of the riverbanks.”
How to help with Helene disaster relief
'Indescribable' damage
Many areas are still without water, power or cell services. Hundreds of people are living in tents. Meanwhile, scores of vital roads and bridges have been destroyed or badly damaged, which is hampering relief efforts and making it extremely difficult to reach those in isolated, mountainous terrain. As Kellick-Grubbs writes:
“Trucks go as far as they can. Then supplies are off loaded—ideally to a UTV, a mule or a horse—or we simply must go in on foot. Still. Today. One month after the storm hit. The road crews and so many volunteers have done incredible work getting access to many, many places. They continue to work tirelessly on this but there are still so many to reach—the magnitude of the devastation is indescribable.”
Now, as winter approaches, the need for relief—everything from building supplies, food, medicines, water and blankets—is intensifying.
How to help
In her letter, Kellick-Grubbs shared a list of materials that are most urgently needed, along with a list of trusted nonprofits that are orchestrating relief efforts on the ground. She says that building supplies, hardware and tools should be sent to the Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity, adding that “The facilities secured for these donations are easily accessible for any size truck, have dock high doors, and forklifts available for unloading.”
She closes with a simple plea: "Thanks in advance for anything you can do to help. It is so greatly appreciated by everyone here!"
You can read Kellick-Grubbs' full letter here.
