Disaster Date:09/27/2024
West Asheville, NC
Hurricanes
What Happened
Thursday September 26, 2024 Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida. The storm pushed inland into Georgia, South and North Carolina and southern Virginia. Western North Carolina appears to be especially hard hit. At least 200 people died. Rescue crews battled mudslides, flood waters, and washed out roadways. MDS is renovating a church for future volunteers and then in the fall of 2025 will begin repairing homes.
What MDS Is Doing
MDS Volunteers will work on repair and new builds.
Location
Asheville is a city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture, including the dome-topped Basilica of Saint Lawrence. The vast 19th-century Biltmore estate displays artwork by masters like Renoir. The Downtown Art District is filled with galleries and museums, and in the nearby River Arts District, former factory buildings house artists' studios.
Stories from the Field
Weekly Reports
This week began with sunshine and beautiful warm weather, which we enjoyed! Our group of 15 volunteers arrived from PA on Sunday evening and we spent time with orientation and getting acquainted together. On Monday four crews went out to four jobs...
This weekend brought in a new long term team, with the exception of Ron and Char, who continue on here as Crew Leader and Cook. Beth Ann had arrived on Wednesday and continues as a long term volunteer. Mike and Linda (Project Director and Office...
COLD temperatures and wind changed Monday’s work plans. Everyone was able to work indoors. Mudding and taping continued at several locations this week. Work progressed to painting and prepping the floors at the Culler house. Later in the...
