10/05/2024
In 1999 Hurricane Floyd came through North Carolina on the heels of Hurricane Dennis. Dennis just dumped a ton of rain, but the effect was to saturate everything. Rivers were full, the ground was wet so when Floyd came there was no where for the water to go and we watched as the rivers slowly rose until places that had never been flooded before were many feet underwater. Our region was never the same again. People lost everything. One thing that was troubling was how the rest of the country quickly turned their attention elsewhere long before the disaster was over. Now we are faced with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene which from where I sit has created an even worse disaster. The death toll is over 200 and probably will go higher. The mountainous terrain will make it impossible to get to many areas by ground for weeks if not months and because this area is not in a "hurricane zone" I suspect many people are without flood insurance. For those who don't know standard homeowners covers water that comes down, it does not cover water that comes up. Imagine losing your house and all your possessions-your keepsakes, photos of your parents and kids all gone. I am telling you this to encourage you to open your hearts and your wallets and find an agency you can support to help with Helene disaster relief. These folks are our neighbors and fellow Americans and they are suffering big time. Thanks. I have added a link on our website to several agencies.
If you are in the Southeast region there are groups gathering items to deliver to the hurricane zone. Items requested - water, diapers, infant formula, sports drink powder, protein bars, batteries, and flashlights. Non-perishable or canned food, plastic utensils, paper plates.