Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact has been felt across the Southeastern United States, from Florida to Southwest Virginia. Making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, Helene wreaked havoc in its wake, resulting in over 132 fatalities and leaving countless communities grappling with destruction and loss. 

If there ever was a community that understands how flooding caused by a hurricane can uproot lives, it’s this community. Nearly 25 years ago to the day, Hurricane Floyd ripped through Franklin, dumping approximately 13 inches of rain to the Southampton County/City of Franklin area. This occurred just two weeks after Tropical Storm Dennis had saturated the area with 6.2 inches of rain.

Here are a few ways we can contribute:

• Organize Donations: Gather essential supplies such as food, water, clothing, and hygiene products. Partner with organizations that can efficiently distribute these items to affected areas.
• Financial Assistance: Consider donating to established relief organizations that are mobilizing resources and personnel to assist in the recovery efforts. Every dollar counts in rebuilding lives and communities.
• Volunteer Efforts: Engage with community groups that may be organizing trips to affected regions. Your time can be invaluable in cleanup and recovery activities.
• Raise Awareness: Utilize social media and community platforms to raise awareness about the ongoing needs in storm damaged areas, encouraging others to join in the relief efforts.

Additionally, if anyone in our community is currently working in the storm-damaged areas, we want to hear from you! Your stories and insights can help galvanize support and inspire action. Please reach out to share what you’re doing or how we can assist in these vital efforts.

In times of crisis, we as Americans find a way to come together as one to help each other and while these ravaged areas are hundreds of miles away, we can still find ways to lend a hand. 

Our continued thoughts are with the people most affected by Hurricane Helene’s destruction.