BARNARDSVILLE, N.C. — Thousands of people across western North Carolina are simply trying to survive in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The storm, which has killed 116 people so far in the state, caused widespread catastrophic damage across the mountains. More than 100,000 are still without power, and President Joe Biden has ordered a total of 1,500 troops from the United States Army to help with relief efforts.
In the wake of Helene, donations are pouring into the areas hit hardest by the storm. One of these places is in Barnardsville, where WFMY News 2 reporter Amber Lake was Monday to check in on the recovery.
Barnardsville has been through it. The Big Ivy Community Center already served as a food bank in the area, where an organizer told WFMY News 2 that around 6% of the population was homeless before the storm.
That number has increased to nearly 60% now after Hurricane Helene devastated homes in the area.
Big Ivy is serving as a distribution site for people in Barnardsville affected by the storm. The community center went from serving 200 people a week before the storm to 500 people a day in the aftermath.
Those 500 people have been getting lunch and dinner at Big Ivy daily since last week.
Kerry Sherrill, the operations coordinator for Big Ivy, said people in side-by-sides, horsemen and even volunteers with backpacks have hiked up the surrounding hills and mountains to take much-needed supplied to people.
"It's a life link for people," Sherrill said. "We really feel like we are critical for people who haven't eaten. They come get hot food and they get food they can take home that is non-perishable, as well as blankets and towels, sleeping bags, tents abd everything they need to have some sort of shelter aid ... We have toys and coloring books and things for the kids"
The center also offers showers for those who need them, charging stations for phones and many other resources for people who are facing the worst time of their lives.
The Big Ivy Community Center is in need of propane, heaters, tents, generators and fuel. It is also in desparate need of volunteers.
If you have been affected by Helene, here's a list of helpful resources.
Looking for ways to support residents of western North Carolina affected by Helene? We've compiled a list of reputable organizations who are already delivering aid, and you can find it here.
If you would like to donate online to the American Red Cross, you can use the following link: WFMY News 2 is supporting the American Red Cross.
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