Asheville, North Carolina
North Carolina Hurricane Helene Relief
September 2024
We mobilized to Asheville, North Carolina, in response to Hurricane Helene’s record-breaking flooding, supporting immediate and long-term relief efforts.
Urgent need for volunteers
Disaster Profile
Hurricane Helene unleashed historical flooding in the mountainous western Appalachians, thousands of miles inland from its initial landfall.
With winds exceeding 140 mph, devastating storm surges and deadly flooding, Hurricane Helene left over four million without power while causing catastrophic damage as it traveled up toward Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. North Carolina’s western Appalachian region bore the brunt of Helene’s devastation. Historic rainfall caused rivers in the region to overflow, flooding neighborhoods and destroying homes and infrastructure, while cutting off power, transportation and communication in the aftermath of the storm. Several dams were breached, and mudslides further worsened the damage.
Our Response
In the first days following the floods’ retreat, it was clear that a long-term, community-driven recovery effort would be essential.
9,500+
Individuals impacted
80+
Homes and businesses mucked and gutted
130+
Residences made safe again
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s impact in Asheville, it was clear that the storm’s repercussions would be felt for months, if not years. Just two days after the hurricane’s unprecedented damage to this astonishingly inland, mountainous region, AH&H had a team on the ground, ready to begin assisting with the community’s needs. While taking in the scale of devastation, we quickly established a base, fully aware that our commitment would extend into long-term recovery efforts.
