2025 Hurricane Relief Fund
Make a difference for families in NC/TN

The Forgotten Recovery: Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee Still Need Our Help

A word from Autumn Zimmerman, EM Missions Program Director — February 2025

Months after Hurricane Helene flooded the Southern Appalachians, the national news cameras have moved on. But the nightmare continues for thousands of residents in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. As a volunteer coordinator in the region, I've witnessed firsthand both the devastating impact of this disaster and the remarkable resilience of mountain communities.

But resilience alone isn't enough. Every day, I see families still displaced from their homes, local businesses struggling to reopen, and communities grappling with unemployment rates that have skyrocketed since the storm. While the immediate emergency response has ended, the long road to recovery is just beginning.

The scope of devastation becomes clear as our volunteer teams work across three hard-hit communities: Greenville, Tennessee; Hot Springs, North Carolina; and Marion, North Carolina. In these mountain towns, we're not just rebuilding structures—we are helping people feel seen when they very clearly feel forgotten. Our work ranges from replacing waterlogged drywall and ruined flooring to clearing mountains of debris that still litter properties months after the storm and so much more.

The statistics are staggering, but they don't tell the full story. In Hot Springs, a small North Carolina town known for its natural beauty and tourism, an estimated 80-90% of residents are now unemployed. The flood waters didn't just damage buildings; they washed away livelihoods as local businesses—the economic backbone of this tourist town—were devastated.

Behind every statistic is a story like Miss Carolyn's. In her 70s, while still battling cancer, she lost not only her home but also the rental cottages that provided her retirement income. The cottages, once a source of joy for visitors and financial security for Miss Carolyn, now stand damaged and empty. Her story illustrates the compounded challenges many residents face—health issues, housing displacement, and loss of income—all at once.

The reality is that rebuilding takes more than just hammers and paintbrushes. It requires sustained commitment from volunteers and donors who understand that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.

What You Can Do to Help:

• VOLUNTEER: Whether you have construction skills or just willing hands, we need you! Learn More
• DONATE: The cost to rebuild is beyond one person, one family, or one volunteer fee. It will take all of us using our resources together to make a big difference for these communities. All donations made will go directly toward recovery projects in these communities! Give Now

  (Even if you’re already signed up for a trip, we implore you to please take part in additional fundraising to increase the capacity for impact this year! Our hope is for each 2025 volunteer to fundraise at least $100 toward this project fund.)

• SPREAD THE WORD: These communities need national attention to ensure they're not forgotten! Share this page with friends, family, church communities, and whoever else may have the means and desire to make a difference.

The people of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee are known for their strength and self-reliance. But right now, they need our help. Every repaired home and every reopened business brings these communities one step closer to recovery from unthinkable disaster. Together, we can help rebuild these communities – not just their structures, but their spirit of hope for the future.

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