I need to talk about Helene.

I am struggling to come up with the words and the thoughts and I need to talk about this. I apologize for the length.

To preface, I am not a meterologist. I am merely a person who has taken several meterology class who is capable of reading those funky models that are put out by the NOAA. This being said, I follow severe weather to be able to update my friends and family on situations that could impact them. In this case, friends/family in Flordia, Atlanta, Tennesse and Carolina.

We all know of Hurricane Katrina, a catastrophe I simply do not have the words to describe the absolute clusterfuck of a situation and response that was given to the city of New Orleans. The floods that occured in Southern Appalachia carry the fullest of weight of the word to describe them, catastrophic. The states of Flordia, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennesse were all hit and also need support, however I am going to focus on North Carolina.

NCDOT has released a statement that "All roads in Western N.C are considered closed". Not just they are considered closed, they are gone. The roads are literally gone. Towns are destroyed, literally washed away. I won't get too personal with this post however I will say that I am still waiting for contact from several people within the impacted area. There is limited power, limited cellular service, basically extremel spotty and limited contact to the outside world.

I am keeping the descriptions of the damage minimal as it is simply hard to talk about.

I want to also say to please keep these areas in your thoughts. I know "thoughts and prayers do nothing", however holding these places and people in your hearts and having a mind open to supporting them however they need is so so so important. I know that some of these areas have people that have different beliefs and ideas than what you and myself do. I understand that entirely. I grew up on the border of appalachia and it is truly one of the most unique and wonderful places. The culture of this region is unlike anything I have ever experienced. There is a certain idea in most places of the country of who the people of appalachia are and how they are. There is a lot of history of this region that has had severe impacts on their views. Please try to look past any prejudices you may have towards this region when approaching their current situation.

Even if a person votes differently than you, they do not deserve this. Even if a person has different monetary assets than you, they do not deserve this. Even if a person has morals and values that are so drastically different than yours, they do not deserve this. I have been seeing this idea that "they chose to live there" and "they didn't evacuate". There is so much more to these choices than we can comprehend unless we have been in their shoes. All I ask is that you hold spaces in your heart for these people, these communities.

If you are able to and wanting to help, here are some ways to help.

From a source who works at FEMA, after about 2 weeks support tends to taper off for disasters such as these. When these disasters occur- CASH IS KING. Sending goods during the first two weeks is going to take people off of other jobs to sort out received items, create more cluster to be dealt with, ect. After the initial clean-up is done, that is when the time to donate supplies will become extremely beneficial. Organizations will let it be known when they are available and ready to receive actual items and goods.

In person volunteers in the begining stages of clean-up is another valuable resource that often becomes overbearing at the start. A bunch of people rush in, cant be organized and used effectively, and then leave. IF you are able to access an area that has been impacted, WAIT until the call for help comes out. Just like with supplies, the call for volunteers will come eventually and at that point it would be extremely beneficial to volunteer.

An important note to make about donations: ensure that the organization is a reputable one before donating. During these sorts of disasters scams run rampant. Please make sure that your hard earned money is going to the right place.

Appalachia Voices: https://appvoices.org/helene-relief/

The 19th: https://19thnews.org/2024/09/hurricane-helene-how-to-help-women-children-lgbtq-communities/

Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/hurricane-helene-2024/

North Carolina: https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/09/29/helene-flooding-north-carolina-donations-help

Georgia: https://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-news/hurricane-helene-how-you-can-help-with-storm-assistance-in-georgia/GV2OPU6GPVHNZGTFIQ6C4TX434/

Tennessee: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2024/09/29/how-to-help-hurricane-helene-flood-victims-in-tennessee/75443858007/

Some other great organizations that are currently helping out the areas: The United Cajun Navy, Team Rubicon, World Central Kitchen

I have not yet found a list of sources for the states of Flordia, South Carolina, and Virginia directly however I will update once someone/myself makes one.

"Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."

Please if you are able, be a helper.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, as someone who studies environmental disasters these sorts of issues weigh very heavy on my chest to begin with, then there is the added tons of the connection that the people I love and myself have to the region. I will get off of my soapbox now. Sending you all love.

It wouldn’t be a proper return without my Eli Vanto doodles!! This is what I do instead of paying attention in class tbh.