Samaritan’s Purse Responds After Hurricane Helene (2025)

Helene tore a deadly path through the mountains of western North Carolina, dumping extreme rainfall and causing catastrophic flash flooding. Several locations received 20 inches of rain or more over a four-day period. Some towns are in ruins. There are toppled trees everywhere; roads, bridges, and driveways are washed out; homes and businesses have been destroyed by flooding and landslides. Many homes remain without power or running water.

We are providing relief throughout Watauga County, North Carolina—home to Samaritan’s Purse international headquarters in the town of Boone. The response also extends to include neighboring counties in North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

So many of our neighbors are hurting. We're thankful that we can respond and help in Jesus' Name.

Southwest of Boone, rivers raged outside their banks causing widespread destruction in and around Asheville, North Carolina. Our relief response there extends around Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, Black Mountain, Montreat, and Swannanoa. On Oct. 7, we will open a third base in the hard-hit town of Burnsville, to include Mitchell and Yancey Counties, also in western North Carolina

At our sites across North Carolina, we are doing tree work, mudding out homes, removing debris, and tarping roofs. Heavy equipment is being used to clear private driveways and private roads. In some areas, we are also offering water and potable water to the community.

“Our hearts break for all those who have been devastated by Hurricane Helene. People have lost their homes, roads are washed out, millions are without power, and some have even lost loved ones—so many of our neighbors are hurting. We're thankful that we can respond and help in Jesus' Name. Please pray for these families and for our teams that are working in some of the hardest-hit areas across the Southeast.” —Franklin Graham

Numerous communities in the rugged mountains of North Carolina and far eastern Tennessee are cut off by Helene's devastation. Samaritan's Purse is coordinating airlifts to some of these locations—delivering basic necessities to those in dire straits using our own helicopter as well as the aircraft of other organizations. We praise God that, through more than 30 flights so far, we have been able to deliver food, water, medical kits, and other relief to those isolated by the storm.

We also are responding to the destruction caused by Helene in Florida and Georgia. We have U.S. Disaster Relief bases in Perry, Florida, where the hurricane made landfall with Category 4 strength, and in Tampa where thousands of houses are flooded. South Georgia was also slammed. We have set up a base in Valdosta. Our locations in Florida will close Sunday, Oct. 6, in advance of Tropical Storm Milton. They are scheduled to reopen on Oct. 11.

Volunteers are urgently needed in all of our locations. Please continue to pray for all those affected by the storm and for our teams as they serve as the hands and feet of Jesus.

More than 220 storm-related deaths have been reported so far. Katrina is the only hurricane with a higher mainland U.S. death toll over the past 50 years. Please pray for families who have lost loved ones.

Read More

• Water Filtration Systems Deployed to the Asheville Area
• Samaritan's Purse Starts Five-Site Response to Hurricane Helene
• Volunteers Help Lift Heavy Burden for Hurricane-Hit Couple
• Helpful Information for Volunteers (Asheville Base)

Thousands of volunteers have served so far in our Watagua County, North Carolina response, which also includes Avery and Ashe counties, as well as Johnson County, Tennessee A mud-out is a volunteer-intensive relief job. More help is needed across western North Carolina. Areas around Asheville are in great need right now; more volunteers are needed. Samaritan's Purse volunteer doing specialized tree work in Valdosta, Georgia. Black Hawk helicopters were used to deliver Samaritan's Purse relief supplies, including medical kits, food, and water to eight different North Carolina fire departments in areas devastated by Hurricane Helene. We're using our Samaritan's Purse helicopter to deliver relief to communities isolated by the storm. Samaritan's Purse is helping in Jesus' Name throughout Buncombe County, North Carolina, among the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Helene. Thousands of people have already served with Samaritan's Purse across western North Carolina. Volunteer teams are helping homeowners across four states: North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Franklin Graham met President Donald Trump in Valdosta, Georgia, where our teams are serving. Volunteers pray with homeowners and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. A staff member prays with ah homeowner in south Georgia.