A Catastrophic Event of Biblical Proportion

Hurricane Helene brought historic rainfall, flooding, and power outages to the western North Carolina mountains on September 27th, causing a catastrophic event – flooding, and devastating whole communities. As images continue to surface, it is clear to see that recovery will probably take months, if not years, and many helping hands.

The last time western North Carolina experienced a flood like this was in the book of Genesis. — Canton, North Carolina Mayor Zeb Smathers, WRAL.com

Eddie and I have a particular love for the mountains of North Carolina. I lived in Asheville for 13 years before moving two years ago to Wilmington. Christian Devotions hosts the Asheville Christian Writers Conference, which has been held since its inception at the Billy Graham Training Center, in Asheville, NC. Many of our writer friends live in Asheville’s surrounding communities and have been impacted by this hurricane.

A Good Time for the Church

A catastrophic event like this is a great opportunity for the church to show up and for God to get His glory as we become the hands and feet of Jesus.

Current Happenings:

An ongoing multi-state air support effort is dropping much-needed basic supplies to those who remain trapped in the mountains.

They are asking that no one travel to the areas impacted UNLESS you are part of the relief effort.

A city-wide curfew remains in effect in Asheville and many surrounding communities.

Relief organizations are already meeting basic needs throughout the state.

Linemen from many states are working hard to restore communication. Veteran Up sent a convoy of linemen and ambulances to our state.

Communication:

Cell tower companies have been setting up temporary towers in an attempt to get cell coverage restored.

Maureen Miller, the Inspire a Fire contributor who would normally be posting on Inspire a Fire this Wednesday, and her family, remain without power and internet connection.UPDATE: Maureen was able to reach a connection and posted an article today. Please check out her post here.

Another contributor, Lisa Crowe, contacted me as I was writing this article while surfing off her church’s internet connection.

The Body of Christ

Churches throughout Wilmington and other cities in our state that were not affected by Helene are coordinating efforts to provide basic needs for families and shop owners. IE:  Money for meals, drinking water, cots, and linens including bedding and towels, cleaning supplies, diapers, formula, paper products (like toilet paper), and toiletries such as shampoo, etc.

Ways to Help:

Ask God how you can be the change for someone in Western North Carolina, Florida, Tennesee, or any of the other seven states affected by this hurricane.

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10

Serving others is a form of expressing our faith in and to God. When we start to grow weary in our serving, we can be reenergized in our commitment by knowing that he sees us and he will not forget.

NOTE: To report a missing or unaccounted-for person in Buncombe County, voicemails can be left for the Buncombe County Family Assistance Center at 828-820-2761.

PRAY for:

Wisdom for those in authority, and well-organized delegation.

Integrity among those receiving donations and protection from scammers

First responders; pray for their safety, stamina, and for reinforcements.

Pray that lines of communication be restored, especially cell service up in the mountains where so many remain trapped.

As God’s family, we can stand in the gap for our brothers and sisters who have experienced this disastrous event. Let’s pray for them to have hope for a future though right now that seems hard to imagine.

Ways You Can Help

Contribute Your Time and Resources

Trustworthy Organizations:

There will be no end to the need for the foreseeable future. For those who want to help physically, the following organizations are looking for volunteers. Click on the embedded links below and check out their volunteer tabs. For those who want to donate financially and want the money to go directly to those in need in Western North Carolina, these are trustworthy organizations.

Samaritan’s Purse – offers international Disaster Relief and enlists thousands of volunteers to provide emergency aid to victims of tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters.

Baptists on Mission has set up feeding units at First Baptist Boone and Biltmore Baptist in Arden. In addition, they’ve set up recovery sites in Boone, Spruce Pine, Hendersonville, and Marion.

Beloved Asheville is an organization I have participated in while living in Asheville that provides meals to the underprivileged and affordable housing. They are working overtime to help provide many people with meals and basic needs.

Asheville Dream Center – The Asheville Dream Center is an outreach arm of multiple churches and businesses reaching out to their community in meaningful ways, providing practical resources, and building relationships to share Christ with our neighbors. At this time they are distributing meals to those without power.

American Red Cross: The American Red Cross Western North Carolina Chapter serves a population of more than 775 thousand people including the counties of Buncombe (Asheville), Cherokee, Clay, Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, Graham, Haywood (Waynesville, Candler, Clyde, Canton, and Maggie Valley),  Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.

Age Makes No Difference

No matter how old you are or how limited your finances are, you can make a difference.

Western North Carolina covets your prayers.