Hurricane Helene caused widespread devastation in Western North Carolina. According to photographer Bill McMannis: "This picture I took Friday a half block from my house. The dam at the WNC Nature Center on the Swannanoa River was ripped apart. My house has a tree on it and three came down in my driveway but we are okay and the damage to the house was minimal. Water will likely be unavailable for two to four weeks. The hope is power will be restored Friday. Uploading this picture is the first internet related task I have been able to do since Thursday." (Photo courtesy of Bill McMannis/Flickr)
October 05, 2024
By Brian Bennett for the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, with contributions from Fly Fisherman Staff
Portions of this article were originally published by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association at affta.org.
Hurricane Helene made landfall with unprecedented force, unleashing widespread devastation across the southeastern United States. Communities along its path now face the daunting task of rebuilding. From Florida’s Gulf Coast Georgia, Western North Carolina, and surrounding areas is unimaginable.
Now, as these regions struggle to recover, countless communities are in dire need of support—whether it’s physical assistance, donations, or basic relief services. It’s a time for collective action, as neighbors, friends, and strangers come together to help those affected begin to rebuild their lives.
What Communities Are Facing The damage caused by Hurricane Helene is difficult to comprehend. Entire neighborhoods have been submerged, homes and businesses leveled, and infrastructure crippled. In Florida, the Gulf Coast has been severely battered, leaving thousands without power, clean water, or access to basic necessities.
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Georgia and Western North Carolina experienced massive flooding, fallen trees, and significant property damage. Many rural areas remain isolated, cut off from essential services and waiting for relief efforts to reach them.
How You Can Help In the face of such overwhelming destruction, there are numerous ways to get involved and lend a helping hand to the affected communities.
From Forbes Magazine to the New York Times to Captains for Clean Water , many are urging concerned citizens to give and aid relief efforts with donations sent in the direction of those who need it desperately right now.
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“Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented, widespread devastation throughout the southeast, and many communities along the storm’s path are in need of help,” reports Captains for Clean Water . “From southwest Florida to the Tampa area to the Big Bend region, the damage to Florida’s Gulf Coast was unfathomable—but the storm’s impact extended well beyond Florida, creating catastrophic conditions in Georgia, Western North Carolina, and beyond. Now, many communities are in need of support in one form or another.”
We'll do our best to keep you informed concerning the damage to businesses and fisheries in the region—including trout streams like Virginia's South Fork of the Holston River, which the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources says is inaccessible right now due to storm damage .
U.S. Airmen assigned to the 202nd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) Squadron, Florida Air National Guard, clear roads in Keaton Beach, Florida, after the landfall of Hurricane Helene, Sept. 27, 2024. The 202nd RED HORSE Squadron, stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida, is a specialized, highly mobile civil engineering team comprised of Florida Air National Guardsmen that provides rapid response capabilities for multiple worldwide contingencies and operations. (Photo courtesy Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock/U.S. Air National Guard) Whether you have time to volunteer, financial resources to donate, or need assistance yourself, here are some key resources to connect with:
National Services Florida Resources Georgia Resources North Carolina Resources Tennessee Resources Common Needs Some common in-kind needs include:
Water and sports drinks Paper towels Garbage bags Baby food and diapers Sanitizing wipes Hip waders or rubber boots Gloves Flash lights Non-perishable food Batteries Toiletries Pet food and supplies Tools and tool kits Connecticut National Guard aviators survey damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina while delivering water to affected communities on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sgt. 1st Class Leticia Samuels/Connecticut National Guard) The Road to Recovery The recovery for these communities will take years, long after the initial relief efforts have ended. As we shift from addressing urgent needs to long-term rebuilding, consider supporting local fly shops, and guides by purchasing gift cards or certificates. These small businesses desperately need the revenue as they work to get back on their feet. If you had a scheduled trip or outing with a local guide, try to reschedule rather than cancel and request a refund. Your spending in these communities can make a significant impact in helping them rebuild and recover.
As we look ahead, it’s crucial to continue supporting these communities to ensure that those affected have the resources they need to rebuild their lives. With that in mind, AFFTA and Fly Fisherman magazine will continue to provide ongoing updates and information in the months ahead.
While the road ahead will be long and challenging, the outpouring of support in the wake of Helene has been inspiring. From neighbors helping neighbors to volunteers from across the country arriving to lend a hand, it’s clear that the spirit of community and resilience is stronger than any storm.
Brian Bennett is an outdoor industry veteran, currently working for the Wild Steelhead Coalition .