Hurricane Helene hadn’t even finished devastating western North Carolina Friday before local efforts were getting underway to help those hit by the storm.
Multiple towns in 25 counties have been completely destroyed, according to state Emergency Management. Gov. Roy Cooper has deployed National Guard personnel, vehicles and aircraft. More than 200 air resources had been performed as of Monday morning. Thousands of people are missing, and more than 100 have been verified killed in the flooding and mudslides. Gov. Ron Desantis has sent Florida National Guard units to assist, and the United Cajun Navy has deployed helicopters, trucks and boats for relief efforts.
Fire and rescue crews from Whiteville and Columbus County, along with a team from county administration, began heading west Sunday. Oher first responder teams were organizing Friday night and Saturday to prepare for deployment.
State emergency officials are urging individuals and groups not to self-deploy, without a specific group or organization that has a verified safe location for drop-offs. Hundreds of bridges and roads remain out, and volunteers have been turned away at roadblocks for safety reasons.
Supplies that are most needed right now are
Baby wipes and diapers (both adult and baby sizes)
Sports drinks
Bottled water
Non-perishable foods that do not require cooking
Manual can openers
Personal hygiene products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, combs, feminine products
Cleaning supplies
Plastic sheeting and tarps
Trash bags
Packaged socks and underwear
Work gloves
Wipes and sanitizer
Hand tools
Multiple businesses, government agencies, and churches are accepting donations for transportation to the affected areas. Dropoff locations include
Columbus Baptist Association, 201 Thompson St., Whiteville
Dock Missionary Baptist Association, Happy Home Baptist Church, 2670 Happy Home Church Rd., Nakina
Whiteville Fire Dept.
Whiteville Police Dept.
Columbus county Sheriff’s Office
Tabor City Fire Dept.
Lake Waccamaw Fire Dept.
Columbus County EMS, 205 W. Main St., Whiteville
Tabor City Food Lion
GNG Logging, 71 Ricefield Rd., Bolton
Mill Creek Co., 4205 Spearman Rd., Bolton
Crossfit LKW, Hills Plaza, Lake Waccamaw
Union Baptist Church, 2290 Old Northeast Rd., Lake Waccamaw
Wilson’s Auto Sales, 4339 Sam Potts Hwy., Hallsboro
Lake Waccamaw Methodist Church, 506 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Waccamaw
Riegelwood Baptist Church, 103 N.C. 87, Riegelwood
Old Town Florist, 123 First Ave., Chadbourn
Harvest Church, 4619 SC-9, Green Sea, S.C.
Williams Township School
Hallsboro Artesia School
Columbus County News, 1015 S. Madison St., Whiteville
All Black’s Tire locations
Southern Tire in Whiteville
Monetary donations can also be sent to
Samaritan’s Purse
N.C. Baptist on Mission
Catholic Charities
This list will be updated as more information becomes available.
