Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Relief efforts are underway to assist communities in western North Carolina affected by Tropical Storm Helene. The storm caused unprecedented flooding, damaging municipal water systems, roads, and utility lines, leaving many mountain communities isolated since September 27. Authorities closed 400 roads deemed unsafe for travel. Supplies were airlifted to the region around Asheville as of September 30.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper described it as “one of the worst storms in modern history for parts of North Carolina.” By September 29, at least 36 deaths were reported due to the storm, with search and rescue operations ongoing to locate hundreds who remain stranded or unaccounted for.

“Power is out everywhere and cellphone towers are down — and water is out in some places, too,” said Margaret Beale, principal of Immaculata School in Hendersonville. “This really is a disaster. People can’t get out of their homes and may not have food or water.”

Parishioners, clergy, and staff across the Diocese of Charlotte are mobilizing to provide help through prayer, fundraising, and collecting relief supplies. Msgr. Patrick Winslow stated: “We pray for everyone who has been affected, especially for those who have been injured or lost loved ones, and for the communities in western North Carolina that are seeing total devastation.”

The diocese has organized a drive to deliver emergency supplies from Charlotte to affected areas. An initial truckload was delivered on September 29 to Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville.

In Huntersville, approximately 400 St. Mark parishioners collected supplies like diapers and nonperishable goods that were transported over the weekend to parishes in Waynesville and Hendersonville.

St. James the Greater Parish in Concord is organizing a supply delivery through Concord airport as part of Operation Airdrop’s aid relief efforts.

Catholic Charities of the Charlotte Diocese launched an online appeal at https://ccdoc.org (Helene Relief Aid) to support long-term recovery efforts. Gerry Carter noted: “While we’ll be there handing out water and providing food as soon as it is safe to do so, our real impact is on the longer-term restoration of lives.”

Duke Energy stated that power restoration would take several days due to widespread damage. "Thousands of lineworkers are working tirelessly," they said.

In Swannanoa, St. Margaret Mary Church announced its campus closure after a large oak tree fell onto it during the storm.

Roger Patton described the scene: “It’s terrible. It looks like a war zone.” He added that people need water urgently and will soon need food.

Immaculata School experienced significant flooding damage and will remain closed until utilities are restored.

Water leaks were also reported at churches in Winston-Salem and other locations such as Elkin, Shelby, Gastonia, Mooresville, and St. Michael School in Gastonia.

A diocesan Family Life Conference was postponed due to power outages but some churches held Sunday services without power despite Bishop Michael T. Martin lifting Sunday Mass obligations for impacted areas.

Principal Beale expressed hope amidst adversity: “There isn’t anything that’s happened at our parish or school that can’t be repaired.”