Hurricane Helene Causes Widespread Devastation in Southeast

In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation, multiple organizations in Jefferson County and surrounding areas are mobilizing to provide relief to affected communities. The Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies (AMOS) has postponed its anniversary celebration to focus on disaster response, offering food, shelter, and essential services to flood victims. Meanwhile, grassroots organizations like Florida's Rural Women’s Health Project emphasize the need for a formal disaster corps to aid recovery efforts, highlighting the increasing severity of extreme weather. The American Red Cross is urgently seeking volunteers for shelter operations in the southeastern U.S., where assessments indicate a prolonged recovery period. Local police and community groups in Western North Carolina have initiated substantial supply drives, although they have temporarily paused due to overwhelming donations. The federal response includes significant aid from FEMA and the deployment of search and rescue teams, as communities begin long-term recovery efforts.