Hurricane Helene slammed into the U.S. last week as a Category 4 hurricane, setting a storm surge record and becoming one of the most powerful storms on record. As it wreaked havoc throughout the Southeast, some of the worst devastation hit western North Carolina, particularly in areas surrounding Asheville – hundreds of miles inland from where Helene made landfall, and an area often described as a “climate haven” safe from the hurricanes that frequently ravage the eastern part of the state. The death toll continues to rise, with some areas still cut off, lacking power, communication, and access to drinking water.
ActionAid stands in solidarity with all those affected, especially the families who have lost loved ones. The financial damage is expected to surpass $35 billion, but that figure doesn’t fully capture the true cost: the irreplaceable loss of loved ones, the trauma of losing homes, and the disappearance of community gathering spaces. Below, we’ve listed ways you can donate to help those in need, and we will continue to provide updates as recovery efforts progress.
When we speak about loss and damage at ActionAid, we usually focus on the international policy space – advocating at the UNFCCC for support to communities in developing countries. These communities, though least responsible for the climate crisis, are suffering its worst impacts. That’s why we fought so hard for the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund and are now pushing for it to be fully operationalized and funded.
But Hurricane Helene reminds us that there are no safe havens from climate impacts. Helene’s 500-mile path of destruction proved this beyond doubt. As the climate crisis worsens, we can expect more storms like Helene, more heatwaves, and more wildfires – and all in more places than we’ve ever seen before. The road ahead requires us to show up for our neighbors, whether they live next door, in Asheville and Tampa, or in the Global South. This is essential not only in the aftermath of acute disasters like Helene but also in the ongoing work of building resilience and adapting to future challenges.
Communities need to start preparing now for worsening impacts. That’s why the new U.S. Fair Share NDC includes a call for both a plan to address loss and damage domestically and contributions to the international Loss and Damage Fund.
Recovery from Helene will be a long process, and the impacted communities need support now. It’s also past time to focus on building resilience and preparing for climate impacts everywhere.
You can support those impacted by Hurricane Helene via local Western North Carolina groups as identified by Blue Ridge Public Radio or through our US Climate Action Network Partner: Southeast Climate and Energy Network (SCEN).
