We are now a little more than five weeks out since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and traveled straight north, bringing wind, rain, and catastrophic flooding to Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia as a tropical storm. Every day is bringing new resources, businesses and amenities re-opening, and good news on recovery efforts.
News and Resources
- The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) sees much of the storm impacts in it’s service area, and they have created a clearinghouse of primarily federal resources and news.
- Likewise, online news source Cardinal News has established a section of their website and news service devoted to the associated Southwest Virginia flooding at a more hyperlocal level, including a page devoted to both providing and finding assistance.
- And as the Commonwealth rolls out new resources and programming, they are announced through the Governor’s Office here.
Most recently the Governor’s Office announced a new microloan program for agricultural businesses administered by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, and an Office of Hurricane Helene Recovery and Rebuilding has been established within the Governor’s Office.
How to Give
- The American Red Cross and the United Way of Southwest Virginia remain the best and most comprehensive options for assisting the region.
- If you want to be more directive with your support, assisting to rebuild and reopen the Virginia Creeper Trail, for instance, visit specific websites and look for “donate now” options.
- Another impactful option is to find out what communities and merchants are open for business and go spend your tourist dollars directly. The impacted region relies on tourism – particularly in fall – making the timing of the storm and recovery particularly problematic for the businesses and localities that rely on this seasonal influx of spending.
Good News
The Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia has reopened along with stretches in North Carolina coming back on line. And despite 18 damaged or destroyed trestles, the Creeper Trail is open between Damascus and Abingdon. This recovery will be made up of small victories that we should all celebrate!
Image Credit (Trestle 18 on the Virginia Creeper Trail) – Ben Earp / Ben Earp Photography, Cardinal News
Image Credit (Blue Ridge Parkway) – Visit Roanoke VA
Virginia Main Street 