HumanHeadlines
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Human Headlines is a curated collection of headlines from this year’s hurricane season. Stories that remind us that when adversity strikes, people step up.
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Santa Train Makes Special Delivery
The 82nd annual Santa Train made a special stop to bring supplies, toys, and joy to survivors of Hurricane Helene. The CSX Santa Train brought 15 tons of goodies to communities across Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee.
From North Carolina with Hope
Cartner’s Tree Farm, like other Christmas tree farms in western North Carolina, lost thousands of trees to Hurricane Helene. But a symbol of resilience survived. A 20-foot-tall Fraser fir from the farm was chosen to grace the White House as this year’s Christmas tree.
Season of Sharing Helps Survivors Stay Afloat
The destruction from Hurricanes Helene and Milton left many Floridians unable to work. And as a result, unable to pay their bills. The Sarasota-based nonprofit Season of Sharing stepped in, spending close to $750,000 to help hurricane survivors pay essential expenses.
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Special Delivery:
Operation Airdrop Delivers Supplies to Communities Cut Off by Storm Damage
Operation Helene, organized by the nonprofit Operation Airlift, supported federal recovery efforts by delivering over 400,000 lbs. of badly needed supplies to remote areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
Asheville JCC Pools its Resources
Hurricane Helene didn’t just leave a wake of destruction in North Carolina. It also left a lack of running water. The Asheville JCC Aquatics Center took action, draining its pool to provide residents with water to flush toilets.
Red Cross Delivers Relief
Hurricane Helene left many communities in rural North Carolina in complete isolation. As part of the urgent effort to deliver supplies, the Red Cross created Operation Mountain Hope to help bring relief to these communities by mobilizing volunteers. And in doing so, created a sense of neighborly connection that will outlast the storm’s impact.
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Disaster Distress Helpline Provides Free Counseling for Hurricane Survivors
The physical toll of a hurricane is well documented. But the mental toll, less so. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is taking on this hidden burden with the Disaster Distress Hotline, a 24/7 hotline dedicated to disaster survivors that’s available in over 100 languages.
A Shower of Support
When a few builders in Charlotte heard about the impact of Hurricane Helene, they did what they do best. They got to work. They created the Appalachia Shower Project to build and deliver portable heated showers to communities without running water.
Lending a Paw for Pets
With local vet clinics closed, pet parents had nowhere to turn to for emergency medical assistance or check-ups for stray pets found after the floods receded. Best Friends Animal Society coordinated mobile vet clinic visits to the region to help with check-ups and treatment.
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All hands on deck:
National Guard Rescues Over 1,000 People from Hurricanes Milton & Helene
A hurricane’s impact is local, but the rescue and recovery mission is national. Guard members from over 15 states jumped into action after the storms to rescue survivors and clear debris. Over 200 people were airlifted to safety in North Carolina alone, while hundreds more were saved by a boat or high water vehicle.
Military Service Members Make an Impact
Over 7,000 Defense Department personnel assisted with hurricane recovery and search and rescue. In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers established a dozen emergency operation centers to assist in emergency water system assessments, bridge and road inspections, and debris removal.
DoD Coordinates Disaster Assistance
"Nearly 1,000 soldiers from Fort Liberty, N.C., and Fort Campbell, Ky., have been mobilized to support residents and affected counties devastated by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said. Another 500 soldiers are helping clear emergency routes, and rotary wing aircraft also have been deployed." —DoD News, 10/7
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