After the Storm: How You Can Help North Carolina and Tennessee Rebuild from Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

5 min readOct 5, 2024

It’s truly heartbreaking to hear about the ongoing struggles in North Carolina and Tennessee following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The hurricane has left thousands of people without the basic necessities — water, food, and shelter — for days on end. Just today, reports surfaced that 200 people were found at a church, desperate, having gone six days without food or water. The images and stories coming from these regions are gut-wrenching, and it’s impossible to ignore the pain that so many are facing.

The Human Toll of Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene will go down in history as one of the most destructive storms we’ve seen in the last two decades. Homes have been destroyed, entire communities left underwater, and vital infrastructure, including power grids and water systems, remains shattered. For families already living in precarious conditions, the aftermath has only compounded their hardship.

When you think about families going over a week without water, struggling to boil what little they have, or rationing store-bought bottles, it’s hard not to feel an overwhelming sense of urgency. Imagine not being able to turn on your tap or have a clean drink of water for yourself or your kids. That’s the current reality for thousands.

How You Can Help

But even amid this unimaginable devastation, there’s always a way to help. There are numerous ways you can step up and make a difference, whether it’s donating time, money, or resources. Every small effort counts, and no contribution is too small.

Donate to Local Relief Efforts: Local organizations are often best equipped to deliver immediate help where it’s most needed. They’re on the ground, they know the communities, and they can work quickly to provide food, water, and shelter.
Volunteer Your Time: If you’re nearby or able to travel, many volunteer organizations need help with distribution, rebuilding efforts, and providing medical care. Even if you’re not on the ground, remote opportunities like coordinating relief or organizing fundraisers can make a big difference.
Share Awareness and Mobilize: Not everyone can contribute financially, but spreading awareness is powerful. Share news, updates, and calls to action on social media or in your community to keep the conversation going. Mobilizing others to donate or volunteer multiplies the impact.

FEMA and Government Response: A Failure?

It’s no secret that the response to Hurricane Helene has been sluggish at best and completely inadequate at worst. Many are questioning the role of FEMA and why more immediate help hasn’t reached the hardest-hit areas. The situation in North Carolina and Tennessee has brought this frustration to the forefront, with people asking why the government response has been so delayed, inefficient, and seemingly disconnected from the real needs on the ground.

There’s been a glaring lack of leadership and communication from the top. Some are rightfully frustrated, feeling like this administration has checked out, showing little interest in accelerating relief efforts. There’s a real sense of abandonment among those affected, and you can’t help but wonder what things would look like if leadership were different.

Why Trump Wouldn’t Let This Happen

Many people look back at previous disasters and feel that things were handled differently. Under a Trump administration, there’s a belief that the response would have been faster, more robust, and focused on getting immediate aid to the affected communities. For all the controversy that surrounds him, Trump’s track record in handling domestic crises — such as relief efforts in previous hurricanes — gave many Americans confidence that he’d have taken quicker action.

The current administration, on the other hand, has left a lot to be desired. The lack of a decisive and compassionate response, especially for the most vulnerable, has caused frustration to boil over. In times like these, it’s easy to understand why many are calling for a leadership change, hoping for a return to a more proactive approach in crisis situations.

Real Stories of Struggle

I have a close friend who has been living through this nightmare. Their family has been without water for over a week. Can you imagine? They’ve been forced to buy whatever bottled water they can find, boiling it to stretch their supply. But it’s not enough. They’re rationing water just to survive day-to-day.

Unfortunately, they’re not alone. So many families are facing the same grim reality, trying to hold on in the face of extreme shortages. When you hear these personal stories, it hits you harder. It’s not just statistics — it’s real people, real lives.

How to Continue Helping

This recovery will be a long, arduous process. The destruction from Hurricane Helene will require months, if not years, to rebuild. But in the meantime, we can all do something. Whether it’s contributing to relief funds, volunteering time, or even just spreading awareness, every little bit helps ease the burden on those who are suffering.

Local charities, churches, and aid organizations are working tirelessly to provide immediate relief, but they need all the support they can get. Now is the time to donate to trustworthy local organizations who can get resources directly into the hands of those who need it. Consider looking into GoFundMe pages dedicated to specific communities, or even reaching out to family members and friends affected to see how you can directly support their needs.

Final Thoughts

The road to recovery will not be easy for North Carolina and Tennessee, but as a community, we can help. While FEMA and the current administration have undoubtedly fallen short in their response, it’s in times like these that the strength and kindness of everyday people shine through. Whether through donations, volunteer work, or advocacy, there are ways to be part of the solution and show those affected that they are not alone in this struggle.

Until next time here’s to smooth skies, good company, a journey full of happy memories. I’m your Travel Hack Guide to affordable luxury tips. Catch you later. Peace

Travel Hack Guy

ZachusTravel.com & YouTube.com/zachustravel