Habitat for Humanity assesses damage, readies response in wake of Hurricane Helene

ATLANTA (Sept. 29, 2024) — Habitat for Humanity teams are assessing homes damaged by Hurricane Helene as the organization prepares its response, with a focus on aiding the long-term recovery of housing impacted by the massive storm system that has killed more than 60 people in the U.S. Southeast. 

Those who wish to donate to Habitat’s response for Hurricane Helene can do so at habitat.org/hurricanehelene. 

“Habitat for Humanity’s housing experts are embedded in those communities impacted by this deadly hurricane and are working to determine the extent of damage from flooding and high winds,” said Adrienne Goolsby, Habitat for Humanity International’s senior vice president, U.S. and Canada. “We are particularly concerned about how this is affecting families who were already struggling to make their mortgage and rent payments, before this storm upended their lives. Our prayers are with every single person affected by this ongoing disaster, which continues to be a life-threatening emergency in the hardest-hit areas, and Habitat is ready to work alongside communities as they recover.” 

Hurricane Helene was a powerful, fast-moving Category 4 storm when it made landfall in Florida’s Gulf Coast region. It then ripped through Georgia and continued to dump record rains on neighboring states, including western North Carolina, where entire communities have been cut off due to flooding, washed-out roads and bridges, and downed trees. 

Habitat for Humanity International is currently collecting reports of damage from local Habitat organizations in roughly 150 communities across eight states. The other five states impacted by Helene are: South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. Teams on the ground will continue to survey the destruction in the coming days as they navigate widespread power, water and gas shortages. Habitat’s role will primarily be in the long-term recovery of disaster-stricken communities, following the immediate response. Long-term recovery is among the greatest challenges in disaster response and recovery, particularly as communities work to ensure the lower-income populations that Habitat serves are not left behind.