Asheville and the North Carolina mountains remain on the road to recovery after being devastated by Hurricane Helene nearly two months ago. Water service in Asheville, for example, was just restored on Nov. 19, and more local businesses are reopening each day.
While several relief programs are still underway to support ongoing recovery efforts, Asheville resident Matthew Casale, who runs Asheville’s annual toy expo Assembly Required, says the best way people can help right now is to visit.
“Yes, some areas were horrifyingly devastated by the hurricane,” he said. “We dealt with no power, no running water, but for most of us in the center of town, everything is fine now. And now that the boiling water advisory has been lifted, the businesses can start to reopen. You can go down to the restaurants, and you can have dinner. You can have a beer.”
Casale, who has a 13-year-old son, lost his job in the wake of the storm, dropping his family to a one-paycheck household. He said he has stayed afloat thanks to help from unemployment and government stipends.
He said he feared people are looking at Asheville from a distance, rather than visiting, which hits the region’s tourist economy with a double whammy — those who didn’t lose their livelihoods in the hurricane are now at risk of losing them anyway.
“A lot of people are still mourning, still damaged, still hurting, and we understand that,” he said. “But the businesses that weren’t affected can’t afford to close because people are afraid to come.”
October is historically the biggest month for tourism in downtown Asheville. With much of the area still damaged, the city lost a huge chunk of revenue. But Casale said he’s still hopeful for the toy expo in February.
“I know by February things will have cleared up — I hope,” he said. “I saw no reason to cancel the event when the storm hit, but my fear is — and I’m seeing it already — artists reaching out saying it looks like Asheville is torn apart, asking if it’s safe to come. I’m like, ‘Yes! It’s safe to come.’ ”
Other ways to support relief efforts
If planning a weekend trip is out of the cards at the moment, consider learning more about one of several nonprofit organizations still operating in areas devastated by Hurricane Helene. Area top picks are listed here.
- N.C. Disaster Relief Fund: The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is still accepting contributions for hurricane damage. Contributions help with the unmet needs of hurricane victims. Contributions are made online.
- N.C. Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: Donations to the NCVOAD are used to purchase food, water, medicine and equipment that directly supports those affected by natural disasters. While multiple types of donations are accepted, the organization stresses that cash donations are the most effective in helping impacted communities.
- Hands On Asheville: Consider donating your time and effort by volunteering with local disaster relief programs. New volunteer opportunities are added daily, including debris cleanup and providing food and water at community stations, so check online often.
- American Red Cross: Help people affected by disasters by donating to the American Red Cross of North Carolina online. Donations support a wide range of efforts as the Red Cross partners with other state and local organizations.
- MANNA Food Bank: MANNA is resuming its regular distribution operations to over 225 partner agencies across its 16-county service region in Western North Carolina after focusing its efforts on hurricane relief.
- Brother Wolf Animal Rescue: The nonprofit organization lost its shelter and transport vans in the storm and is now doing everything it can to rebuild. Donations go toward helping move animals from temporary facilities while BWAR builds its new shelter.
- ASPCA: The ASPCA is still operating a temporary emergency shelter in North Caroline to care for animals impacted by Hurricane Helene. Donations go toward pet food distribution, medical care and more for lost pets and stray animals.
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