Sustaining Way extends our heartfelt support and compassion to everyone affected by Hurricane Helene and stands in solidarity with those facing hardships. Like many neighborhoods in Greenville, Annie’s House and Nicholtown are feeling the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. At Sustaining Way, we are committed to sharing resources, providing pertinent information, and sharing support to our neighbors in every way we can.
Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of how human activity intensifies severe weather events. With a staggering 15-foot storm surge, Helene wreaked havoc across Florida and continued its path through Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky bringing torrential rains, flash floods, and tornadoes.
This Category 4 hurricane struck with winds reaching 140 mph, and according to NOAA, such storms can leave well-built homes severely compromised. Helene severely damaged homes, uprooted countless trees, and downed power lines, isolating communities and causing prolonged power outages. Currently, over 4.5 million homes and businesses are without power, leaving entire communities without proper food, water, and shelter.
In the short term, we must focus on clearing roads, repairing homes, and providing emergency relief in our neighborhoods. However, we cannot ignore that storms like Helene are a growing threat fueled by climate impacts. Now is the time to envision and create a future that mitigates these impacts for current and future generations through a commitment to environmental stewardship. Our passion for nurturing this vision is central to all we do at Sustaining Way, and we look forward to continuing to build a resilient future for our community.
Below, please find relevant links to Hurricane Helene relief and recovery efforts including information on organizations providing free food, water, and shelter to those affected as well as federal, state, and local agencies providing relief funding for those who's property was damaged as a result of the storm. We also will include recent news and ways to get involved and support local communities in need.
- The FEMA Disaster Assistance Application is available now.
- The best way to apply is by calling their helpline at 800-621-3362 or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Addresses and times can be found at the bottom of this webpage.
- For additional resources on applying for FEMA & support options if you are denied or told your application is incomplete, reference https://www.advocatesfordisasterjustice.org/
- The American Bar Association is offering free legal aid to those affected by Hurricane Helene: https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20241022/american-bar-association-offers-free-legal-aid-hurricane-helene-survivors
- SNAP recipients in the Upstate will automatically receive replacement benefits: see story here.
- If you are not already registered for SNAP but A. suffered damage or destruction of the home, B. loss of income due to termination or a delay of income because of disaster related problems, or C. a household had to use expenses due to the storm and don’t expect to be reimbursed in any way, you are eligible to receive Disaster SNAP. Pre-register and begin the process here: https://dss.sc.gov/assistance-programs/snap/disaster-snap-dsnap/
- Greenville City EDC webpage has several links to business and individual disaster assistance programs: https://www.greenvillesc.gov/2410/Disaster-Assistance
-
- Call 9-1-1 for rescue or other life-threatening situations.
- Greenville County Emergency Management for residents with non-life-threatening emergencies, call 864-467-3428.
- Call 2-1-1, text “HELP” to 211-211 or visit www.sc211.org for United Way’s list of resources
- Call local emergency management (click here for a list of contacts) to report damage and get help with issues like downed trees. Some are also assisting with wellness checks.
- Call American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) if you need assistance, including shelters.
- Call Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386 to be connected with volunteer organizations who can assist with issues like trees, debris, tarps, and mucking out. Note: Crisis Cleanup cannot assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or FEMA registration.
- This Google Doc is updated daily with local food resources and is sorted by Greenville neighborhoods. Source: LiveWell Greenville: bit.ly/GVLFoodResourceGuide
- Woodruff Road Walmart has showers, portable toilet, washer/dryer: facebook.com/walmart640
- SC Emergency Manager app: Download via App store and Google Play.
- Disability & Disaster Hotline: Call/Text: +1 (800) 626-4959, Email: hotline@disasterstrategies.org. The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies’ Hotline “provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and resources to people with disabilities, families, allies, and organizations assisting disaster impacted individuals with disabilities and others seeking assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs.
- Locating loved ones:
- Call 2-1-1 for their reunification service.
- Red Cross has this form.
- In Buncombe County: Call 828-820-2761 (Buncombe County Register of Deeds). More information at BuncombeReady.gov.
- Veteran Disaster Assistance: See here for support.
- Donate to Sustaining Way; all funds raised go directly back to communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Money will be used to support immediate relief and recovery efforts in Nicholtown, New Washington Heights, Spartanburg, among other affected communities.
- Volunteer with Sustaining Way!
- Visit Greenville Journal's list of ways to get involved to find other organizations looking for donations and volunteers.
- Donate to United Way Association of South Carolina Disaster Fund: All funds raised through this form will be directed to help recovery and relief efforts for South Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene. You will be able to choose the county you'd like to help. The United Way Association of South Carolina will underwrite all administrative costs associated with dispersing these funds, and 100% of funds received will go directly to supporting recovery efforts.
- Hello GVL has a webpage dedicated to requesting and filling community needs. Follow this link to post your needs or assist a neighbor.