RANT: Stop the Hurricane Helene Misinformation Spigot
Folks in Western North Carolina Have Enough to Deal With
Do not believe the stories that FEMA and state and federal government is not working hard in WNC. These stories are false and hurting those who need help the most. PLEASE don't be part of the problem.
Yes, it's frustrating. We live in Asheville. This is in our neighborhood.
We are lucky that our home is still standing, but we have no power or water, even though we are right in town and theoretically easy to reach.
The elements that make Western North Carolina so beautiful also make it difficult to get around when the river valleys and creeks have been decimated (that's where the roads are, y'all.) Search and rescue is continuing.
Thousands of National Guard and active military have been deployed to help. Relief efforts have been praised by the Republican governors of SC and GA, along with the Democratic governor of NC and our two Republican Senators. FEMA has already awarded more than $45 million in disaster relief, with more to come. Everybody is working SO DAMNED HARD—they don’t need to be told it’s all fake news.
Those $750 checks you may have heard about are simply immediate grants to folks who need money for food, shelter, diapers, and so on while applications for aid are pending. For instance, Asheville is counting on federal money to repair/replace its smashed water system. We want that to happen so we can get running water again.
If you want to help people access those larger FEMA grants, you might want to donate to PISGAH LEGAL, who are offering free legal services to those applying for FEMA grants. No appt necessary.
https://www.pisgahlegal.org/fema/
Have you heard that FEMA money is "going to migrants?" That's not true. CONGRESS allotted $650 million to house migrants and asked FEMA to administer it. If you have a complaint about that, call your rep.
THAT SAID: Private efforts are critical--not because the govt isn't doing anything, but because the need is so great. On my saints list right now are Dolly Parton, the Cajun Army, World Central Kitchen, French Broad River Academy, Manna Food Bank, and the Asheville Humane Society. Religious organizations including Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (https://www.abccm.org) are accepting donations and seeking volunteers.
If you want to help, Blue Ridge Public Radio offers some more great places to start.
Many neighborhoods are gone. WNC needs your help, not lies and ugly politics. Don’t make me come there.
Yes! Thank you. I live down in Brevard and some of the rumors I've heard around here are ridiculous. Glad you made it through with no major issues. Our basement flooded and had a tree down across our driveway, but nothing we couldn't handle. Our power was restored Saturday night. If you want some fresh water, a shower, to do some laundry or a slight change in scenery please let me know if you are interested and/or can get over here. Neighbors helping neighbors even if from different towns. :-)
Bless you and keep you safe! Thank you for posting truth when you have bigger needs to take care of; we appreciate you every day for your writing, but especially today for your good sense.