When Hurricane Helene devastated the southeast just over three weeks ago, the natural disaster prompted a stunning grassroots mobilization from the private sector, catapulting it to the front-line of disaster relief efforts.
Roads have been destroyed and railroad tracks washed away, while power lines remain strewn across roads, and many are still without running water and internet service in western North Carolina towns such as Marshall, Spruce Pine, and Burnsville. But because of swift responses from private organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse, Aerial Recovery, Happy Helicopters, and Baptists on Mission, vulnerable hurricane survivors in remote areas have been rescued who would otherwise have almost certainly perished. Hundreds of thousands have been fed, homes restored, and hope fueled by mighty armies of volunteers.
Here’s a deeper dive into four nonprofit organizations and private businesses that provided invaluable aid to people in the aftermath of one the most devastating hurricanes ever to hit the U.S.
Samaritan’s Purse
Arguably one of the most important first responders in the wake of Helene, Samaritan’s Purse told the Washington Examiner in an email that since Sept. 30, it has mobilized more than 18,000 volunteers to help more than 1,200 families by removing mud from homes, clearing downed trees, clearing debris, and tarping damaged roofs. More than 7,000 families have requested assistance from the faith-based organization, which has a total of seven response sites dedicated to Helene’s response efforts…