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Here’s how to help WNC from afar.
At this point, we’ve all seen the images and videos of Hurricane Helene’s impact on Western North Carolina—cars and houses floating down murky waterways, trees pierced through roofs and entire roads washed away by mudslides. It’s uncomfortable to any viewer, and it’s absolutely devastating to WNC.
As a native of the mountains (specifically Hendersonville), I’ve felt both extremely lucky to be safe from the chaos and very helpless as I watched from afar as destruction tore through my hometown. And it’s difficult navigating what I can actually do to help my community and what just adds to the pandemonium.
Even now as the flooding recedes, it’s hard to tell the true extent of the damage—both physical and economical. Hurricane Helene hit only weeks before the fall foliage peaked, when tourists usually swarm in flocks to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
To wit, about 16.7 million people visited the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2023. That’s millions of people who this year won’t buy local beer, won’t invest in local artists and won’t tip their servers. Those perennial foliage-chasing tourists spend billions and support thousands of jobs. With parts of the parkway currently closed* and entire businesses—buildings and all—washed away (the Asheville Rivers Art District and Chimney Rock’s main street are simply gone), the true economic impact remains unknown.
So while we all want to help WNC, it’s best to postpone that fall getaway—at least for now. I am as disappointed as anyone about skipping a trip to the area for peak week and brewery-hopping, but the region is currently housing first responders in hotels normally meant for tourists—meaning they are in no position to handle visitors, even though visiting may feel helpful. Instead, here is how you can help the region recover from afar, while you (hopefully) gear up for next year’s trip.
What + Where To Donate
Clothing and Winter Supplies
- Cleaning supplies and blankets | North Carolina National Guard Association
- Winter clothing | Hometown Martial Arts
- Tools, buddy heaters and clothing | RUMAH
- Charcoal, propane and gasoline | Trophy Five Points and State of Beer
Relief Funds
Support WNC Goods Locally
- Burial Beer Co. | Transfer Co. Food Hall
- Deco Raleigh | South Salisbury Street
- Highland Brewing | Multiple locations including Wegmans, Food Lion, Tap Yard, Postino, My Way Tavern, Relish, The Wandering Moose
- Raleigh Wine Shop | South Bloodworth Street
- Riparian Provision Co. | South Saunders Street
- Triangle Wine Company | Cary, Holly Springs and Southern Pines
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