Respond. Reconnect. Rebuild. -How you can help our Blue Ridge Communities Affected by Hurricane Helene
McDowell County and our Western North Carolina neighbors have faced unprecedented levels of damage and impact from Hurricane Helene. However, we are eager to rebuild, reconnect, and re-welcome you to our memorable Blue Ridge Mountain Communities that many visitors know and love.
Here in Old Fort, North Carolina we mourn the loss of infrastructure, history, art, and community. We stand together in awe of the overwhelming support from around the state and across the country. Even fellow tourism partners have shown up and asked the simple yet giant question "How can we help?" Thanks to Swain County TDA and Overlander Project for putting boots (and wheels) to the ground to feed our First Responders, GoGo's Cinnamon Rolls for making breakfast nearly every day for local and visiting Relief & Rescue Teams, Davis Country Store for feeding an entire town, McDowell Cares and McDowell Chamber of Commerce for getting an action plan together, and all of the local nonprofits that came together to address urgent food, shelter, and medical needs. The "thanks" don't stop there, we have so many more unsung stories that we hope to lift up in the coming months. Thank you to every single person with muck on their boots, sweat on their brow, determination in their eyes, and hands worn with kindness n' hard work. Thank you to every friend, visitor or passer-thru that sees us, and wants to help but isn't sure how.
In the wake of destruction, our community has rolled up their sleeves and gotten to work. The grit, resilience, and caring of our friends and neighbors is in itself a stunning experience to witness. However, many of your favorite destinations within McDowell County need help. Learn about our different communities, businesses, or organizations working to rebuild our small towns so we can all get back to big adventures (plus how you can help).
McDowell Cares is a multi-agency initiative working with local efforts to provide emergency shelter, food, and supplies for thousands of evacuees and those who have lost everything. As mudslides and flooding continue to threaten additional communities, even more people will urgently need support. McDowell Cares has been working in conjunction with community partners and state and local officials to ensure help is available where needed. Supporting this organization means providing direct relief to locals that help make McDowell a beautiful place to visit. https://www.mcdowellcares.org/give
NANU Gallery literally opened a couple weeks before Hurricane Helene ripped through our Town of Old Fort. And like a force of Nature, Nanu Gallery is out to help restore the businesses and thriving community around us. Please visit the post and link below to support and contribute to the downtown businesses along one of Old Fort's primary streetscapes. Note: Their GoFundMe supports not just the gallery but multiple small and micro businesses along Catawba AVE and Main Street in Downtown Old Fort. https://gofund.me/f327de7a
Art is the cornerstone of any modern community. Since 2009, Arrowhead Gallery & Art Studios has functioned as a collaborative outlet for artists to connect with the community and offer their artwork to the public. One of the more significantly impacted buildings, our friends at Arrowhead are hard at work to bring art back into the hands of neighbors and visitors. Help restore art and hope in Old Fort through their GoFundMe:
Nestled at the base of our Blue Ridge Mountains, North Cove Disc Golf has been a labor of love for so many amazing humans since 2020. North Cove DG and Leisure Club was destroyed by Hurricane Helene, and they need our help rebuilding. All donations will support restoration. Join McDowell County in their efforts to bring back North Cove Leisure Club and North Cove Disc Golf Course:
Our fantastic friends at The Orchard at Altpass experienced a whole orchard loss, as well as the destruction of many Blue Ridge Parkway routes to their orchard. They have started a donation site to help support the orchard and surrounding communities: https://altapassorchard.org/get-involved/donate/
The Davis Country Store continues to serve as a community focus point for supplies, hot food, outdoor necessities and recovery relief. They have been serving the community 24/7 since the storm hit. Use their Facebook Page to learn about upcoming meal opportunities, supplies, urgent needs (donation updates) or check out their GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/8a91700f
Smoky MTN Metal Worx provides metalworking services and automotive customization to visitors and locals. As their business was located on the Bat Cave side of Old Fort, they experienced a washout and mudslide. Help restore their business through the GoFundMe setup by their daughter: https://gofund.me/164f317f
Whaley Farm Brewery had a majority of Mill Creek flood into their establishment, tearing away much of the interior and floating the Abbiocco Pizza Truck nearly a block away. Whaley Farm Brewery is seeking funds to repair their brewery and taproom. Find their GoFundMe through the following link: https://gofund.me/3bb2337f
Skyline Village Inn faced the winds and flooding of Hurricane Helene with the same steadfastness as any stone structure. Despite some minor damage, the inn has become a relief center and focus point for folks in the region to go for relief. Help them support the community through their GoFundME here: https://gofund.me/acdf9bb8
Check out the above video featuring Camp Grier and their self-funded recovery efforts for the Town of Old Fort. Camp Grier continues to be one of the organizations at the forefront of disaster relief in Old Fort, NC. From hot showers and running water, to taking in and housing volunteers working to rebuild Old Fort, Camp Grier serves hot showers, hot food, and hope to those affected by Helene. Support their efforts via Volunteer or Donation option on the Camp Grier website: https://www.campgrier.org/
Our Pisgah National Forest and sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway remain closed as repairs and improvements are made. We look forward to swift and innovative repairs that will truly enhance your visit to our breathtaking mountains, overlooks and trails. From clearing roads and rebuilding bridges to ensuring safe water access and power generation, Organizations like G5 Trail Collective are preparing to provide the infrastructure necessary for recovery operations—both in the immediate and long-term future. Help sustain their work on our trails and community through their donation link: https://www.g5trailcollective.org/
The area of Buck Creek in McDowell County is a popular destination for campers and fishing enthusiasts. Unfortunately, flood waters devastated this region of McDowell. The Mountain Stream RV Park experienced devastating flooding and are looking to rebuild. You can support them through the following fundraising website: https://givesendgo.com/mtnstreamrvpark?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=mtnstreamrvpark
With the closure of the Blue Ridge Parkway, continued closure of Pisgah National Forest, and continued repairs on all our favorite trails, our friends at Mountain Top Shuttles are in need of help. Their shuttle ride business for athletes that explore our Blue Ridge Mountains is at a complete stop, and they need your help to recover. Use the following GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/e22b8b60
Catawba Falls Campground, the popular campground destination adjacent to the Catawba Falls trail, is a private, family run business for over 40 years. The campground faced multiple points of impact and destruction from floodwaters, mud, and falling trees. Check out their fundraiser to build back: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-our-cherished-campground-family?utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp8_c&lang=en_US
Buck Creek Trout Farm is a family-owned trout-stock farm spanning over 50 years. Unfortunately, much of their business is damaged, and they lost their crop of hatchlings/fish. Please support their efforts by visiting their website homepage: https://www.buckcreektroutfarm.com/
Turtle Island Pottery, a renowned potter family based right here in Old Fort, NC are facing multiple challenges: Potter Freeman was given difficult medical news just days before the storm. Once the storm struck, they experienced damaged to their studio and home. Please support Turtle Island through their GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e26c1cc7 and make sure you attend this year's Appalachian Potters Market!
Many businesses are not able to cater to in-person visitors, but can still be supported through online shopping. Reconnect with some of your favorite local shops through the suggested links here.
Euda Wine opened this Summer right next to Mill Creek in Old Fort. While their brick&mortar business has been affected, you can still shop a selection of wines on their website: https://www.eudawine.com/purchasewines
The Common Pine, our adorable downtown shop with sweet gifts, super monstera plants and snarky stationary, also has an online presence: https://www.thecommonpine.com/
McDowell Arts Council Association offers the opportunity to sponsor Arts in McDowell with multiple sponsorship tiers. Sponsorship helps support local creative business. https://www.mcdowellarts.org/donate.html
Between the Ages is an online Boutique based out of Old Fort, NC. Check out their Etsy Online Boutique: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheAges
J Valentine Fine Arts and Crafts is a glass artist based in Old Fort, you can shop their gallery here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ValentineArtsCrafts
HellamelaTees creates moody graphics and unique motivational tees. Buy a shirt here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HellamelaTees?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1739951783&from_page=listing
This page will be updated frequently, and our goal is to share more information about our partners throughout the community. Be sure to follow this page as more businesses open, make announcements, offer up ways to support the community, and create change throughout McDowell. We're here to share the new story of McDowell, and ask that you support us through that journey.
