By: Appalachia Recovery Coalition

April 5, 2025

In the weeks and months following the devastating Hurricane Helene of September 2024, countless people flocked to Western North Carolina to support survivors and the recovery effort. They were a lifeline and have saved countless lives, especially protecting the most vulnerable like Seniors, Disabled, Veterans, Families with Children, First Responders and Churches through one of the coldest winters, and now through the wildfire crisis.

Across Appalachia, however, the need remains great and unfortunately we are still at Phase One for many communities across the mountains and valleys of Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia. 

Please sign our petition and share your comments and stories, especially those which are not in the news or seen on TV. Leaders in Washington, Raleigh, and the Counties need to be informed - We Are Not OK. Help has disappeared, local aid organizations and churches are out of resources, advanced assistance has not arrived since late January 2025, and is still desperately needed. 

• Home. People have lost their homes, and still do not have a permanent residence; some are in tents, tiny homes, RVs many which were donated by contributors and local nonprofits; many are staying with friends and family; and many homes are under great disrepair, unlivable at this time; though folks are struggling to reclaim interim shelter and long-term residential stability. 
• Food. Food security is short, food banks and community aid hubs have shutdown, meals are more difficult to obtain, and a great deal of nonperishable food being donated is expired and highly toxic, not edible. 
• Utilities. Many residences are without water supply, wells are not pumping water or are contaminated, sewage systems need to be restored, electricity needs to be connected, and communications (internet) remains without signal to the local area. Many who do have utilities cannot afford them. 
• Fire Risk. There are downed trees and brush all over the mountains and surrounding many residences, including crushing homes and RVs. Clean-up that has been achieved in the past six (6) months is really only the beginning of recovery. As the natural debris dries, the fire risk is greater, as we are now seeing wildfires spread. The clean-up must expand widely across woodlands on federal, state, and private property.
• Income. Helene's devastation wiped out local small business, self-employment, and many jobs; while those on restricted income as social security and disability do not have extra resources to build back their own livelihoods, and do not qualify for the vast government loan opportunities. 
• And so much more..