HURRICANE Helene
Hurricane Helene Impact Report
Responding to Disaster, Restoring Hope
On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through the Florida coast before making landfall in North Carolina, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. As communities struggled to recover, GroundForce Humanitarian Aid (GFHA) responded swiftly, bringing life-saving aid to those in desperate need.
Deployment Timeline & Relief Efforts
Phase 1: Perry, Florida (Initial Response)
GFHA immediately deployed to Perry, FL, where we partnered with Walmart Mobile Relief Kitchen to provide critical assistance. In one week, our team:
- Set up a Safe Camp for both victims and volunteers
- Distributed essential supplies through a large-scale drive-thru relief station
- Served 2500 of meals alongside Walmart’s Disaster relief kitchen through an emergency feeding line
Recognizing the catastrophic impact in North Carolina, GFHA quickly shifted our efforts north to provide sustained, long-term relief where it was needed most.
Phase 2: Western North Carolina (12 Weeks of Relief & Recovery)
Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding devastated Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey counties, leaving families stranded, homes destroyed, and thousands without power, food, or basic necessities. GFHA was boots on the ground for 12 weeks, providing critical relief and long-term recovery assistance.
📍 Our Impact in North Carolina:
🔹 $800,000+ in life-saving supplies distributed, including generators, sleeping bags, blankets, heaters, and camp stoves
🔹 21,630+ volunteer hours dedicated to relief efforts
🔹 7,345 families served with direct aid
🔹 1,344 propane bottles provided for warmth and cooking
🔹 Ongoing reconstruction efforts, including assembling and outfitting pre-fabricated tiny homes for displaced families
Collaboration & Community Partnerships
GFHA worked alongside local organizations to maximize impact and streamline aid distribution, including:
🤝 Little Switzerland Relief
🤝 First Baptist Church
🤝 North Carolina VOAD & Local Emergency Management
🤝 Operation Air Drop & Avery County Airfield
🤝 Mountain Community Health Partnership Clinic & Dr. Steve North, MD, MPH
🤝 Lowe’s & corporate donors providing pre-fab tiny homes
Together, we strengthened community response efforts, ensuring that survivors received not only immediate relief but long-term recovery support.
Innovating Disaster Relief with Stability.org
GFHA also leveraged its online Stability Platform (www.stability.org) to provide real-time disaster updates and resource coordination. Over 50,000 residents in affected counties benefited from critical, up-to-date information on available relief services, supply distribution points, and rebuilding efforts.
Looking Ahead: How You Can Help
The road to recovery is long, but GroundForce Humanitarian Aid remains committed to rebuilding lives. You can support our mission by:
💙 Donating to help us continue delivering life-saving aid
💙 Join Stability.org and become disaster ready
💙 Sharing our mission to raise awareness and strengthen community preparedness
Join us today. Together, we bring hope, stability, and recovery.
🔗 Donate & Get Involved: www.groundforceaid.org
Thank you for standing with us in disaster relief and recovery.
