Thursday, October 3, 2024

Hurricane Helene and How to Help by Jenn McKinlay


JENN McKINLAY:  Over the past few days, I'm sure everyone has been watching the horrific destruction Hurricane Helene  caused in the southeast. For those of us with family there, it has been doubly worrisome. Yesterday, I received this text from my cousin Sue. Hearing the description of what is happening in Asheville from someone I know (who like me grew up in CT and knows hurricanes) made it all that much more devastating.

"I'm sorry for not responding. We had zero cell service. Just got it back. At home, we have no electricity, water, and originally cell service. It's hard to describe how bad this is. The mountain was destroyed. Roads washed out, sinkholes opened up taking them out. In ground services hanging in air over the sink hole. A lake developed between our house and our neighbors. Took out half our road. Trees blocking practically every road. Seemed to take down the power with them everywhere they fell, transformers destroyed. Water mains gone. But we got a generator through the goodness of a stranger, waited in line for 6 hours to get gas, and got it running. So it took four days, but we now have 4 cases of drinking water, and the frig powered, and a one burner induction plate. We can flush toilets with rain water. We luckily had just bought two galvanized tubs 6x2x30". They filled to the top during the storm! 30 " of rain!!! It's mind boggling!

Anyway, all to say it's very primitive, but we are surviving just fine.  We've lost whole towns- just gone- so what we are dealing with is minor in the scheme of things."

The line that hit me was "The mountain was destroyed." How is that even possible? But of course being hit with 30 inches of rain (or more) answers that question. 

The Reds' former contributor and friend Kaye Wilkinson Barley is safe and our beloved Malaprops bookstore/cafe has survived (although they're closed until further notice). But as my cousin said, entire towns have been destroyed. For those of you who want to help but don't know how, Blue Ridge Public Radio published a fantastic list of ways to help Western North Carolina.



Also, one of favorites is there and serving meals already:
 World Central Kitchen - Chef Andre in my personal hero and Hub and I have been supporting his relief missions for years.


The Reds' personal assistant Christie Conlee is doing some boots on the ground assistance for those who need help in Tennessee. She'll be taking a truck into the affected area full of desperately needed supplies, including any books that the book community wants to send to those poor folks stuck in shelters for the foreseeable future. You can send any books you'd like to the address below and Christie will get them to those in need.

Christie Conlee - Hurricane Relief
P.O. Box 124
Beechgrove, TN 37018

And for other areas, here's a list provided by FEMA of Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster :



For any readers in the disaster areas, please know that we're thinking of you! And for anyone with more recommendations for how to help, please mention them in the comments. Thank you! Be safe, everyone!

For those of you who have survived natural disasters of any kind, what did you need the most? What would you suggest people do if they want to help? 



82 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. It's hard to fathom weather that simply destroys a mountain, but as bad as it is, it's good that your cousin and her family are all safe . . . . Thanks, Jenn, for the list of organizations and ways to help . . . sometimes it's easy to simply feel overwhelmed and not be able to think of how to help . . .
    Our youngest daughter and her family [including those sweet grandbabies who spent the summer with us] live in Georgia, and were without power for several days. Now, although much of the city where they live is still without power, some areas have been restored, including [thankfully] hers. They didn't have rain/flood damage like North Carolina, but they did have significant wind damage. The aftermath of Helene is simply mindboggling . . . .

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  3. Thanks for the list of organization to support.

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  4. The reports are heartbreaking. So glad your cousin and others survived and are able to go forward. Bless all the Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, and other volunteers, as well as Christee. It's always good to have a list of reputable local aid organizations.

    Hugh's sister and her husband retired to Asheville about ten years ago, and were grateful not to live near a river. One of their daughters and her family live in Charlotte and Jessie found back roads the day after the storm to drive to Asheville and bring her parents out of the mountains. We are grateful.

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    1. I'd love to send Christie books but am on a solo writing retreat on the Cape (yay!) and won't be able to send anything until next Wednesday. Can she still use them mid-month.

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    2. Edith, I am grateful that your relatives in NC are safe.

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    3. I think she's heading to east TN next weekend so potentially if you can mail them priority.

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  5. Two of your cousin's comments I found devastating: "The mountain was destroyed." and "We've lost whole towns — just gone." I can't even picture that. I'm glad your cousin is safe. Thanks for the donation information. My husband and I already donate to World Central Kitchen. Ditto re: Chef Andre being a hero.

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  6. Jenn, thanks for the list of organizations. I know that pets suffer a great deal during widespread disasters and there are probably organizations trying to respond to their needs now, too.
    I'll see what I have that I can send Christie.

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    1. I listened to the NPR interview with Brother Wolf - a dog rescue place in Asheville - they lost everything but managed to get the dogs out. It was heartbreaking.

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  7. It's shocking, all that damage so far inland. We have usually donated to the United Church of Christ Hurricane fund--they can be counted on to get the help where it's most needed.

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  8. A terrible storm, just terrible. It missed my part of the Florida Panhandle so I feel very lucky. Climate change has altered our world and in the future we appear to be looking to stronger and more frequent storms. From the climate change deniers of a few years ago to those who recently voted against FEMA and are now clamoring for FEMA help, our politicians have dome us no favors. We need to get smart. We need to get pro-active and decide how we are going to meet the realities of the future. We need to alter our zoning laws and strengthen our environmental protection laws. We need to retain NOAH (sorry, Project 2025 -- you're just stupid) and we need to make science-based decisions. There will always be property damage and a loss of life, but if we are smart and have the courage and wherewithall we can alleviate much of the loss.

    I note that in Florida, eleven representatives voted AGAINST FEMA -- all Republicans. Not a single Democrat in the country voted against it. Senator Rick Scott, also a Republican, opted not to vote. PTAH! I also note that November 5th is rapidly approaching.

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    1. The ignorance and irresponsibility boggles the mind, doesn't it?

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    2. So well said Jerry House. Your point is so important for people to factor in when we have these catastrophic events. And should be studied and dealt with. I don't understand the selfishness that allows people to think they don't have to pay for services they desperately need, which means other states must pay and then Florida gets it for free. Then they complain about "socialism".

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    3. All together now: sound the drums as we blithefully march of the cliff of delusion. The fife player in the painting "Spirit of 1776" head band is now plastered firmly over his eyes. Climate change is not happening...... as our voices fall into the morass of denial. Alas sarcasm is not the answer, but ya know it does help.

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    4. WHY would anyone congressperson representing constituents in the hurricane zone vote against FEMA? It boggles.

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    5. The answer to that is probably too incendiary for this platform, but basically, because they want to destroy public confidence in the US government so they can more easily deconstruct it -- and it works when people can say, "see FEMA didn't do anything to help us." Why? Power and money. People do not figure in the equation.

      Thank you for the list of support organizations because if the rally around disasters like this means anything it is that people are the equation.

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    6. For the curious, a list of the Representatives from YOUR state who voted against FEMA is readily available on the internet. Just sayin'.

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  9. Those of you who follow my Facebook account know that we are safe. The limbs from my live oak fell onto the property next door. The canopy of this tree covers both our yards. We had brown outs but did not completely lose power. A week later and the cats still need more attention than normal. Within my circle of care (do you know this term?) several lost their cars from flooding (Gulf Port, and Sarasota). Another, who is in hospice was transferred to a nursing home. (St. Petersburg). In Asheville, a good friend was able to use the library 'hot spot' to advise me she is sheltering in place, without power or City water but is okay. In the next care circle out, these are friends of friends, one saw his house float out to sea, and one who lived in a historic home in the Mangroves watched the flood fill his first floor. His home most likely will be totaled. The storm surge in Tampa completely shut off Davis Island where Tampa General is located. Waters were kept back using a aqua barrier. About 94000 residents were without power, by now most power has been restored. Debris fields are still visible throughout the city. The best part of yesterday was being able to thank a city worker who was monitoring the storm drains in my neighborhood. Sulphur Springs, my historic neighborhood, is still standing; the ground is saturated and today it is raining. The season ends on November 1st. Oh, yes, gov. deSatan legislature 'depopulized' many citizens who had home owners insurance through the state. Our home was in that group. So, I breathe, and thank all of you in this caring group who did check in with us.

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    1. Coralee again. correction the Season ends on Nov. 30. This year it began on June 1st. Six months! oh my.

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    2. Thanks for checking in, Coralee. I did see your post that you were safe, but I had no idea the flooding was so bad. All the news I've seen has focused on North Carolina.

      A friend and his wife have lived on Sanibel for decades, and last year he posted daily updates about the utter devastation that hit the islands then. It's really horrible.

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    3. Thank you for checking in, Coralee. I worried about our friends in the path of the Hurricane Helene. So glad you are safe.

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    4. Exactly this, Jerry! I wish for a hurricane, a tsunami of a blue wave to vote all of these idiots out of office! (Flora)

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    5. More than a week later not only the cats, but you need more attention. May I offer a bit more virtually? A couple of hugs and a wish that you take care, Coralee. Elisabeth.

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    6. So relieved you made it through, Coralee. Hug those kitties for me.

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    7. Coralee, what does "depopulized" mean re: your insurance? I've never heard of this but it sounds ominous!

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  10. We were front and center of the Ice Storm in January 1998, and had no power for 30 days. We had a farm, so no power also meant no water – with animals to feed, and to make things more interesting, most of the sheep were pregnant and ready to lamb. Everywhere was ice over 1” thick which meant the kids could slip-slide outside, knock the ice off the page wire fence, and I melted it over the wood stove. Shades of Little House on the Prairie! It also heated the house and fed us. Food for us was no problem as we had freezers full – but it was an issue with many other people. In this situation, our worst issue was phone calls – land lines then. Over and over people would call, asking if they could help – from provinces away. Yes, help and offers were nice, but it did get in the way of just trying to live. I would suggest that you offer help, and then assume (I know not always a good thing), that they heard you, and when they need something specific, they will reach out to you.
    A couple of years ago – maybe 2, we were again the first landfall (epicenter?) of Hurricane Fiona. This was in the fall, and had much more land devastation with the trees and buildings down, lack of power, and everything slow to come back. We too were lucky that after 4 days we had a loan of a generator, and quickly learned to turn it off and on – to save gas. It was started during meals to cool down the fridge and freezers – enough to keep them safe, charge electronics, and pump a bit of water to store for flushing. We also used it for an hour or two at night to watch the telly – sanity quotient!
    It does get better – slowly. It is important for those not affected to be there after normality resumes. The people who go through it will be stunned – no other word for months after, and if like us and many of our friends, just be all-gulled-out and content to just sit and navel gaze. This too will pass. Be there to listen, and sit.
    Then for those affected, take advantage, but don’t be greedy for any services that are offered. Be patient. It is not always the government hand-outs that you will remember. Late in the ice storm the province of Nova Scotia sent trainloads of firewood. Some of it made it to our area. We were so grateful, as we were out and it was so cold. That is the one that I remember with so much gratitude.
    In the end the best thing was – a real shower!

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    1. Margo, what really resonates with me about your words is the 'after' part. The trauma of enduring a disaster of this magnitude--ice, cold, wind, hurricane, flooding--lingers for years after for those affected. The medical community is just becoming aware of how long and how badly that kind of experience affects individuals. (Flora)

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    2. It's a grief of sorts, I suppose, and it lingers as such. An excellent reminder to check in later when they'll need it.

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    3. Margo, I worked rescue and relief in South Florida after Hurricane Andrew. My home was affected, but it was mild compared to other areas. Our relief efforts went from the August date of the storm through Columbus Day when the city was able to take over. For all of that time, you could distinguish the people who had been in the storm by looking at their eyes. The eyes of the survivors had an extra depth. There was an emptiness behind them. As if they had looked into the abyss and saw hell. That was the way we described it to each other. It took a long time for that look to fade.

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  11. Thank you, Jenn, for sharing some places to aid. I made another donation to World Central Kitchen yesterday. In addition to providing hot food to victims of disaster, they also feed vital rescue workers.

    We are so, so lucky that our only disaster, so far, has been to lose power for a couple days. Knock wood.

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    1. This is when Hub and I say, "Yeah, it's hot here, but we don't have any other disastery type stuff." (Minus the occasional wildfire out in the desert). Makes the heat a bit more bearable.

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    2. Helene was the second hurricane to make it clear to Cincinnati. Ike was the first I know of, and that's when we lost power for a couple days or two, but our neighbors lost it for over a week.

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  12. Thank you for this. The situation is devastating, particularly in western North Carolina. I have a friend (a former race-walking buddy and Portland to Coast teammate) in Asheville. Thank God she is safe, and is coordinating with her neighbors. I also am FB friends with a young man who is rector of an Episcopal church in Hendersonville. It's heartwarming to see how his parishioners are coming together to provide aid to the community and opening their doors, despite being without electricity. Chef Andres is a hero of mine too, and I am going to donate to WCK today.

    I also have to add that we all need to be prepared for extreme weather. We are feeling the effects of climate change and this is the new normal--most likely it will get worse in the coming years.

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  13. My son and spouse are in Asheville. No power, water or cell service. Flushing toilets from apartment complex swimming pool. They were finally able to leave Asheville to family in Raleigh Where they are enjoying showers, hot meals and stocking up on needed meds, dog food and getting some appointments they needed. Power may come back with mobile substations this weekend. If there is power, my son can go back to work in Asheville, but his spouse works at a craft center on the Parkway and it is closed until further notice. Donations of $ to relief organizations is ideal because they are on the ground and know what is needed. My kids got their first hot meal in nearly a week from World Central Kitchen before they took their respite trip to Raleigh. My kids situation is not at all dire...except how will they survive on one income when they have added expenses related to the aftermath. Have friends near Chimney Rock who are trapped on their property but relief is being brought in. Thank God for all the relief workers.
    So grateful for this posting.

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    1. Glad your son and spouse are okay! Yes, the aftermath is a huge concern. Hopefully there will be help all along the way.

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  14. I am ever aware of how this group of writers and readers have provided me with so much more than just the world of books and mystery stories but also with reality of life. Thank you so much, Jenn McKinlay, for using today's blog as an important reference tool of how all of us can be a part of helping those suffering and in need of help in those areas hit hard by this destructive hurricane. I have been fortunate that friends and family that were affected by Helene are safe despite losing power and some flooding.

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  15. JENN: Thank you for sharing the links and we appreciate the post. Like you, I am a fan of World Central Kitchen. And thank you for letting us know about books. I have many books to donate! I will send them to your assistant.

    We all want to help!

    We have several friends who live near Duke University in North Carolina. We went to a wedding there and we are worried about our friends there. I tried NC211 dot org and typed in the names to no avail. We hope that they are okay!

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    1. I hope your friends are okay, Diana! Thanks for the help!

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  16. Thanks Jenn for this excellent report. World Central Kitchen does wonderful and meaningful work.

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  17. My heart goes out to those affected by the storm. I wish I could do more than send money, but sometimes that's the thing that helps the most. I certainly can't physically help clean up or restore needed services!

    I guess the worst I lived through was the Blizzard of '77 - but I was 4 years old at the time, so no real memories. There was a microburst in Pittsburgh back in...1997(?) that eliminated power for a week. All the food in our fridge had to be tossed, but the actual storm hit south of the city, so no serious damage near us. The flooding after Hurricane Ivan was epic in downtown Pittsburgh, but at the time I lived halfway up a hillside, so well above the flood line.

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    1. Flooding is always scary - there's no way to know how deep the water is or how strong the current.

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  18. The Cedar Fire burned 273,246 acres of land in San Diego County, California, Oct/Nov 2003. We live on the coast but our dear friends home burned to the ground, along with over 300 homes in their neighborhood area.
    She heard a knock on her door and the police said get your family in your car now and follow us down the street. She protested she had to get valuables. No he said get nothing, get in your car or I will arrest you. By the time she followed the caravan of other cars and looked back her entire neighborhood was in flames. All that was left was the brick fireplace.
    Global warming is real and this is the result.

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  19. My husband and I live in western North Carolina, about an hour east of Asheville. We were also affected by Helene, but fortunately not to the extent of those in Asheville. We lost about 30 trees from our yard - and we only have about an acre and a half. Our side lot that we kept wooded for privacy (but it was cleaned of brush and detritus and looked lovely) was devastated-the cleanup will take months. A number of trees fell all around our yard, one made a glancing hit on the house and AC unit, but neither were damaged somehow. I am from Massachusetts and have been through many hurricanes, but never have I seen so much damage and never was I so scared throughout. Where we are we got plenty of rain, maybe 10 inches, but most of the damage was from the wind - I have never seen the like. But strangely, my neighborhood never lost power beyond flickering and going out for 5 or 10 minutes, but we had no internet for 4 days and very spotty cell service (making us feel very isolated), though the other side of town was out of power for 3 days. We feel very fortunate compared to those in Asheville. We have sent some money to the Red Cross for the relief efforts there.

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    1. Glad to hear your neighborhood made it through, Sylvia.

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  20. My parents lived for years in Western North Carolina, so I am familiar with many of the towns that have been damaged or destroyed. I've sent some money but am very grateful to have suggestions of more organizations that can use help. Thank you, Jenn. I'm lucky never to have been in a disaster. I know torrential rainfall from nine years of hurricanes coming close to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where we lived, but we never experienced a direct hit like Hurricane Maria in 2017.

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    1. Hurricane Maria was horrendous. I had a friend go down to help get their electricity back up. Truly devastating.

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  21. Jenn, thank you for the links. Locally, we have people who collect needed supplies, will load up volunteer rigs, and deliver. On their list: menstrual products, diapers, baby food, pet food and supplies, flashlights, batteries--the kinds of things you might not think of beyond canned foodstuffs, etc. I saw someone requesting camping stove cannisters--brilliant! How is someone supposed to heat up those canned goods if their stove/microwave isn't working?! And I did see about the World Central Kitchen mobilizing. I'll be donating--plenty of good people with boots on the ground! (Flora)

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    1. Can openers - with no electricity the electric can opener does not work. You can eat cold baked beans, but not if you can't get them out of the can.

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    2. Thank you, Flora! Very smart ideas.

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  22. Pat D: After Harvey many churches collected bedding for the shelters. We gathered together quilts, blankets, sheets, etc to deliver to shelters. Cash to organizations such as the Salvation Army and Red Cross is always good.

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  23. I have never experienced anything that resembles the horrific toll of Helene. Thanks for posting this, Jenn. Going to make a donation now.

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  24. Jenn, thanks for posting. May all be well in recovery for your family, their neighbors. Elisabeth

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  25. Jenn, Thank you for sharing this information. As a Floridian, I understand the pain and suffering of hurricanes. The links are extremely helpful. My prayers to the victims and their families.

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  26. Great information, Jenn. Like a lot of people, I've been wondering how to help and where to direct my donation. This is an excellent resource.

    Living in Maine, I've managed to avoid almost all natural disasters for the past thirty-odd years. We get Nor'easters, delivering plenty of wind and either rain or snow, but those we just hunker down and, if necessary, light the candles and get all the wood stoves and fireplaces burning.

    The only one that really hit me and my family was the Ice Storm of '98. Roads impassible, power out through most of the state, overloaded tree branches falling on people's houses and cars. We were without electricity, and therefore without running water and flushing toilets for 9 days. The thing that made me happiest when CMP reconnected us to the grid? Taking a hot shower. I will never forget how GROSS I felt, doing all the extra labor that came with minding two small kids, chopping ice for toilet water and running the home entirely on wood heat. Getting the chance to be CLEAN again was so wonderful.

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    1. The beauty of a hot shower can not be understated.

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  27. I went through the Northridge Earthquake and even though we didn't have much physical damage, the trauma lingers for a long time. In terms of my friends who went through Hurricane Katrina - which Helene sadly resembles - they're still recovering emotionally, and it's been almost twenty years. And every time there's another event, like rain falling again in the hardest hit areas, it's triggering. Right now immediate necessities must be met. Rebuilding will begin and it will be slower than anyone wants or even imagined. But trauma has a long tail and residents of these areas will need emotional support and understanding for years to come.

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    1. So true. We have transplants from Katrina here and they still talk about how horrific it was.

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  28. Multiple hurricanes and floods in my personal history. Water and critter foods were greatly appreciated. When I worked foodservice after Andrew, the most requested but not received items were canned greens. We had tons of beans, baked beans, and canned pastas, but Andrew hit the south, and southrons love their greens. I suspect it's the same in the area devastated by Helene. One other item, can openers (non-electric). Hugs, thoughts, and prayers go out to all.

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  29. You never know where the people will step up and help is there. In the aftermath of Fiona, the International Students set up pop-up kitchens in driveways and fed everyone who stopped by. Free, and with a smile.

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  30. Thanks so much for posting this, Jenn! I actually did a similar post on Murder is Everywhere today, as I was born in Western NC and have tons of family and friends there. Yes, everyone, please donate!

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  31. Susan Nelson-HolmdahlOctober 3, 2024 at 5:28 PM

    I have a cousin who lives in Asheville, North Carolina, and they have not been in touch with family yet. It is my understanding they were or are traveling in Europe.
    The only “disasters” I have experienced are large earthquakes here in California. We live about five miles from the epicenter of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, a 7.1, which occurred in the Bay Area in 1989. Also, known as the World series quake, it occurred in the first game of the World Series between the SF Giants and the Oakland A’s. We had no damage. It shook 18 inches of water out of our pool though. Most people think the epicenter was in SF, but it was 70 miles south in the Santa Cruz mountains. Typically, the October day was over 100 degrees.
    The other problem here in the southern Bay Area is the very extreme heat we are still experiencing. Tuesday was 110, Wednesday 115, and today we are expecting 117. Here 100, is not unusual but above 110 is new, occurring in the last three years.
    Thanks Jenn for including the donation list.

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    1. Oof, that's hotter than AZ right now. I didn't think the Bay Area ever got that hot.

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    2. The very southern end of the Santa Clara Valley had temps that can be
      Forty degrees warmer than SF. The climate has heat like Tracy and Sacramento. Lots of very different climates only a few miles away from each other.
      The heat we have right now never happened before 2017.


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  32. What a heartrending but helpful post today, Jenn, and I'm sorry to be so late here. We've been donating to WCK but I'm grateful for the other suggestions. The devastation is just mind-boggling

    So glad to know that Coralee and Jerry and other readers in the storm path are okay!

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