United Way Tar River Region and the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce Partner
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the generosity of the Twin-County region of Nash and Edgecombe counties shines through like it always does. We know that local citizens want to assist and have been reaching out to both the United Way Tar River Region and the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce wanting to help. With this in mind, the two organizations are partnering to get information out to assist those who want to give back to the western part of North Carolina, and also to assist anyone who has been impacted by the tornado that touched down in Rocky Mount on September 27.
United Way Tar River Region has been working closely with United Way North Carolina to better understand how local citizens can help immediately. With roads being closed and impassable in western NC, the independent collection and distribution of supplies is currently being discouraged. Any movement of people, equipment, or supplies must to be registered and approved through the State Emergency Management Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC).
There are other ways to assist immediately, and the easiest and most effective way is to make a monetary donation. Here are several vetted groups that you can make a donation:
To make a monetary donation:
• United Way North Carolina: UW Helps NC Fund
• North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: https://pay.payitgov.com/ncdonations
- American Red Cross Helene Relief: American Red Cross
- NC Community Foundation: North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund
To donate to an organized supply effort, visit this link:
https://nc211.org/hurricane-helene-donation-needs-drop-off-locations/
To sign up to volunteer, visit:
- NC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NCVOAD):
https://www.nvoad.org/hurricane-helene-response/
- Volunteer NC: Volunteernc.gov
To report a missing person:
- Text “person” to 40403 and the NC 211 system will send back a short form to complete. This text number should be used for:
- Welfare check-trying to reach family and have no communication;
- Missing person-person was in the path of harm’s way and no contact has been made;
- Person has been located and report can be cancel.
- NOTE: if person is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1
To get updated information on Helene Recovery and Resources:
- Up-to-date information on shelters, hurricane impact, and other hurricane recovery info: https://nc211.org/news/
- Official state response and recovery information about Tropical Storm Helene can be found at https://www.ncdps.gov/helene.
- If you or a loved one were impacted by the storm, FEMA is taking applications for the Individual Assistance Program, which includes money for emergency housing at hotels, immediate recovery needs, and more. Call 800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov for more information or to get started on an application.
- For general information and health and human resources dial 2-1-1 or visit: www.nc211.org
Locally, in the Twin-Counties, to assist those who had personal property damage from the September 27 tornado, a donation can be made to:
Twin-County Tornado Recovery Fund: www.unitedwaytrr.org/tornadofund
For persons in Nash or Edgecombe Counties who have verifiable personal property damage and no insurance to cover it, you can apply for assistance: www.unitedwaytrr.org/helene
For further information or details, contact: Ginny Mohrbutter at United Way Tar River Region at (252) 937-2213 or ginnymohrbutter@unitedwaytrr.org