Hurricane Helene: A Year in Review

It’s been a year since Hurricane Helene’s powerful winds and record-breaking rainfall swept through our area, causing power outages, widespread destruction, catastrophic flooding and landslides, and the loss of many lives. Mountains compounded the effects for our Western North Carolina neighbors—triggering nearly 2,000 landslides and unprecedented river flooding that washed out roads and infrastructure, isolated communities, and destroyed homes.

Our sparse tree canopies, repair bills, and lingering debris piles continue to remind us that recovery has been slow and complex, especially in rural and mountainous areas, with the long-term effects still unfolding. While there is still so much that needs to be done—and so many lives are forever changed—this anniversary is also an opportunity to look back and be reminded of God’s faithfulness and provision throughout this catastrophe.

Members of every campus were affected by the storm, and it provided a tangible way for our church body to be a source of hope and stability. In addition to caring for their own folks, all of our campuses worked in various ways to support our communities and those in Western North Carolina—some work even continuing in recent months.

Soon after the storm, a Hurricane Relief page was set up to broadcast service opportunities, specific prayer requests, and ways to give financial support. These calls were answered! It is with humble joy that we highlight some of the ways our members tangibly expressed Christ’s love to others. Our folks:

• Wielded chainsaws, drove backhoes, and donated gift cards to help restock refrigerators.
• Helped members who had extensive damage to their homes.
• Worked with Foothills Family Resources to bring provisions to those in areas of limited access.
• Provided shelving and installation for a disaster distribution center in Canton, NC.
• Helped a local pastor in Bat Cave get access to his congregation who needed help.
• Rallied to help a homeowner in Bat Cave dig her mobile home out from a mudslide and recover her belongings.
• Pooled together significant financial gifts to help rebuild a homeowner’s driveway and to provide a side-by-side vehicle for the Bat Cave community.
• Took multiple other trips to the Bat Cave, Canton, and Swannanoa communities to partner with local churches—providing help for continued relief projects long after the storm.

While this list is not exhaustive of the tangible ways our folks rolled up their sleeves or shared their resources with those in need, it’s a glimpse of all that’s worth celebrating as we look back. God allowed us to be used for good for our neighbors and to be the hands and feet of Christ. We are so thankful for all who have donated, prayed, and served to help with these relief efforts. Please join us as we continue to lift up those who are still mourning great losses and those who are still deeply affected by the aftermath of this storm. If you’d like to learn more about Local Outreach opportunities, click below.