AFTER HURRICANE HELENE
COMPLETE DEVASTATION
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, bringing devastating flooding, landslides, and widespread power outages.
Roads were washed away, homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, and individuals and families were forced to flee with little warning. While damages exceeded nearly $44.4 billion, the emotional toll is impossible to calculate. Hurricane Helene is North Carolina’s deadliest storm in modern history.
Catholic Charities extends help to all –made possible by your compassion and generosity.
After Hurricane Helene, 39 North Carolina counties, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, were declared federal disaster areas. Since then, Catholic Charities has delivered aid across 33 counties and 155 zip codes.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte (CCDOC) CCDOC Disaster Respone – August 2025
Zip codes of people assisted
Diocese of Charlotte
1,700+ households receiving personalized support 110 homes restored and 35 more under contract Thousands more served at supply distribution sites
$13.3 million total raised $1.1 million from parish second collections in the Diocese of Charlotte
“Every meeting that we go to, generally the first question we ask, no matter where we are is, ‘What do you need and how can we help?’”
– Jesse Boeckermann, Western Region Director, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte
THE RESPONSE: INCREDIBLE GENEROSITY
Because of you, more than 10,200+ gifts have come in from all 50 states and five continents –raising over $13.3 million to bring relief and recovery to individuals and families in need.
We are grateful for the powerful partnerships of Catholic Charities, diocesan leadership and ministries, parishes, parishioners, Catholic schools, and generous supporters worldwide that helped us respond quickly when the floodwaters receded. We will continue walking alongside our neighbors for as long as it takes to restore what was lost.
40+ schools donating emergency supplies
$84,000 from regional Catholic Charities agencies $3.2 million from Catholic Charities USA
1,000+ volunteers donating time and effort $1.5 million from 14 (Arch) Dioceses nationwide
Home Again, Safe Again – Thanks to YOU
When Hurricane Helene tore through Black Mountain, the flooding didn’t just damage houses; it washed away Wanda’s sense of safety.
A senior living on a fixed income, Wanda saw her home condemned due to catastrophic water damage. The thought of leaving the community she had cherished for 24 years was devastating. With her limited resources, moving somewhere else felt impossible.
Because of you, Wanda’s story didn’t end in loss.
Through your generosity, Wanda received a brand-new home built to withstand future storms. And you gave her more than just four walls and a roof. Your support helped fill her home with comfort — a bed, fresh linens, furniture, and the appliances she needed to begin again. All of this was possible because of you, in partnership with Catholic Charities, Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), and dedicated volunteers.
And our help didn’t stop on move-in day. Catholic Charities continues to walk alongside Wanda, checking in and ensuring she has the resources she needs to rebuild her life with confidence and hope.
During a recent visit with staff, Wanda said, “God sent you... I cannot say enough good things.”
Wanda went from losing everything to finding safety, comfort, and the joy of being home again because of you – and your generosity is bringing that same hope to so many others still finding their way back after the storm.
Wanda went from losing everything to finding safety, comfort and the joy of being home again, thanks to you.
You’re Fueling Economic Recovery in the River Arts District
When Hurricane Helene flooded Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD), it destroyed hundreds of art studios and creative businesses – erasing incomes overnight. Art supplies, years of stained-glass designs, kilns, pottery wheels, and thousands of dollars worth of inventory were lost in a single day.
Of the 750 artists who once worked in the RAD, only 350 have returned. With ongoing economic instability, decreased tourism, and rising rent prices, many feared they could never reopen. But your investment is giving artists the chance to rebuild their studios, return to work, and once again share their creativity with the community.
Because of you, artist Brian Luzader turned $250 in art supplies into $1,250 of sellable work –restoring both his income and his hope.
Thanks to your generosity, Catholic Charities is helping these small business owners rebuild, reopen, and thrive again.
Our first outreach was simple but powerful: providing $250 gift cards, often in two installments. For some artists, it meant groceries or gas. For others, it provided storage for salvaged art or to replace essential supplies. For artist Brian Luzader, it meant purchasing $250 in art materials, which he transformed into $1,250 of sellable work – proof of how quickly targeted support can restore both income and stability.
With $250,000 committed to the RAD recovery, you’re repairing studios, replacing equipment, and keeping creative businesses alive – preserving jobs, supporting families, and fueling Asheville’s artistic economy as artists return to work and sales flow back into the community.
As Kimberly Self Hundertmark, RAD artist and Executive Director of the River Arts District Artists Foundation, said, “Catholic Charities’ support came at the perfect time, and we are all so grateful for this ongoing partnership.”
“Catholic Charities’ support came at the perfect time, and we are all so grateful for this ongoing partnership.”
– Kimberly
Self Hundertmark, RAD artist and Executive Director of the River Arts District Artists Foundation
YOUR GIFT AT WORK
Changing a Life with 360° Support
When disaster strikes, some survivors face challenges no single program can solve. That’s where your generosity shines brightest.
Sandra from Old Fort in McDowell County is one such survivor. In the weeks that followed the storm, her well pump failed, cutting off her access to safe water, her car became unreliable, bills piled up, and keeping her home felt overwhelming.
Because of you, Catholic Charities provided what we call 360° care –a donor-funded approach that meets urgent needs while building long-term stability.
Together, we:
• Repaired her vehicle and driveway so she could access food and essentials
• Covered a mortgage payment to prevent her from falling behind
• Supplied gift cards for immediate necessities
• Installed a new well pump to restore safe, reliable water
Your support was life-changing.
“Catholic Charities has provided services I wouldn’t have even thought about asking for,” Sandra shared.
“Catholic Charities has provided services I wouldn’t have even thought about asking for.”
– Sandra
“What you are doing is helping the survivors that fall through the cracks. And that’s huge.”
Today, Sandra has the foundation to move forward – physically, financially, and emotionally. “You helped me make life-altering changes,” she said. “You kept me living.”
Your Countinued Support Matters: Pray. Give. Encourage. Pray
Hold survivors, volunteers, and staff in your prayers as they rebuild lives and communities.
Give Your ongoing support of all Catholic Charities programs and services ensures help reaches where it’s needed most, when it’s needed most.
ccdoc.me/SupportWNC
Encourage
Share messages of support to uplift survivors, volunteers, and staff still working to restore what was lost.
ccdoc.me/Encourage Para nuestros lectores en español, puede leer este informe visitando ccdoc.me/HeleneNewsletterEspagnol
