Dear friends and clients, as you know, our region has been devastated by the effects of Hurricane Helene. Fortunately, all of our agents are safe along with their families. Over the last few weeks, our community has moved from rescue to recovery.
There is already plenty of media reporting on this natural disaster, so the purpose of this article is to let you know the following:
How Can You Help?
Many people have asked us how they can help. We have tremendous volunteer efforts on the ground and supplies are coming in constantly. Also, while Helene devastated multiple counties and towns across Western North Carolina, the information below is focused on the Black Mountain, Swannanoa, and Asheville areas.
***Please be very careful donating to groups or online fundraisers unless you can confirm they are legitimate. Unfortunately, scammers are already taking advantage of this situation.
The non-profit groups below are actively involved in providing for the immediate needs of people hit the hardest by this storm. Our agents have personally served on their boards of directors, are volunteering alongside them, or otherwise have close relationships with them. We know them to be effective at serving the community and we know that anything you give will be used to meet the most pressing needs. We will add to this list over time.
Monetary Donations
Monetary donations may be used immediately or over the next few weeks or months to ongoing needs. For the organizations we have spoken to, this is the preferred type of donation.
- Valley Hope Church (Swannanoa, NC)
- Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth, and Families (Black Mountain, NC)
- Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry (Black Mountain, NC)
- Christ Community Church (Montreat, NC)
- Buncombe County Young Life
- Samaritan’s Purse
Critical Supplies
Critical supplies are still needed in some areas. However, if you deliver critical supplies, please be sure you have a confirmed drop-off location. Some storage facilities are overwhelmed with donations and do not have space for additional supplies. Most organizations are more in need of cash contributions and volunteers.
- Heaters
- Generators
- Chainsaws
- Propane
- Diapers
- Baby Formula
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Sanitary Wipes
- Bottled Water
- Non-perishable Food Items
- Perishable Food Items (only if you have a confirmed drop-off location that can safely store or immediately cook these items)
- Pet food
- Winter Clothes
- Socks/Underwear
Volunteering
Of course, there are countless ways to volunteer. All of the non-profits mentioned above need help. If you have specific skills and would like to help, please contact us at the bottom of this page and we will try to connect you with the right person or organization.
Where to Find Updated Information
Here are some sources to find the latest developments in the Asheville area’s recovery.
- Town of Black Mountain Facebook Page
- Black Mountain Police Department Facebook Page
- Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page
- Asheville City Government Facebook Page
- WLOS (ABC 13 News)
What is the Effect on Real Estate?
Existing Clients
Now that we have moved into the recovery and rebuilding phase, our office is open and we are actively listing and selling real estate. For existing clients that have pending transactions or active listings, please contact your individual real estate agent. Contact information for all of our agents is available on our team page.
Prospective Clients and Real Estate Information
If you are looking for general information on real estate in the Asheville and Black Mountain area, our website is still updated with the latest listings. There are also numerous blog posts about the local area and this page with real estate market statistics. Much of this data is updated automatically. We are also in the office and would love for you to stop by if you’re in town!
Thank You!
We have heard from many you, especially via text message. We thank you all for checking in on us. Our little mountain community has rallied around each other, and we will make it through this together. We will do so largely due to your help. We are extremely grateful for all the incredible support to date. Please keep it coming and please keep praying for us!