In Helene's aftermath, rescue turns to grim recovery in the mountains of Western North Carolina

More than 1,200 FEMA search-and-rescue personnel from across the country have converged on Western North Carolina in the wake of devastating flooding from Helene. Their work is transitioning into the grim task of recovery more than a week after the storm hit the mountains.
Video by Kevin Keister & Travis Long / The News & Observer

How to make donations to NC storm victims:

NC Disaster Relief Fund
How to donate by mail: Donations can be sent to NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312 or NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511.

American Red Cross
How to donate by mail: Send a check donation form and check to: American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839. To send via FedEx or UPS, send check and donation form to American Red Cross, c/o CDS Global, 2005 Lakewood Drive, Boone, IA 50036.
How to donate by phone: Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669).

CARE
How to donate by mail: Send in donation form with check or credit card information to: CARE, Gift Center, P.O. Box 1870, Merrifield VA 22116-8070
How to donate by phone: Call 1-800-422-7385.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina

United Way

More from The News & Observer:

[robynconway]

This job carries a heavy weight of fatigue and sorrow. Please take care. Eat and drink and stand by each other. Thankyou for your hard work. ❤

[hikeclimbsail]

Thank you to all the volunteers that are helping those affected by this disaster ❤

[sharonbrown]

God bless these search and recovery people for doing such a difficult job. And of course bless all the families affected by this horrific storm.

[shirleyspadorcio]

If people watching could only realize what it takes to do this job. These men and women have tirelessly uncovered over 1000 bodies thus far, but it’s not being widely reported. Please pray for these teams and the victims we’ve lost from this hurricane and flooding.

[robynconway]

You people are criticising this Search and Recovery team. You obviously have no idea how they work with their human remain dogs so please stop being rude. They search and mark where bodies may be buried. Other teams come along and retrieve the bodies. They have to work systematically. They know what they are doing. They are professionals. They are looking for peoples dead loved ones so please be reverent and have some respect.

[Poetessa]

These people are a special breed of Earth angels. My deepest gratitude for all they do and all they must endure. It takes a special kind of person to that work.
Stay safe and bless you all. Your difficult work will bring much needed closure to so many heart broken families.
Much love from Canada. x

[junecoulthard]

This is such a Tragedy 😢 Thankyou to all the Search and Recovery Teams and to that Beautiful Dog 🐕 RUBBLE! Such a sad task recovering these lost loved ones. 🙏🏼💔

[janinemason]

God bless the people affected by this storm. Love from Australia x

[debbiecritcher]

God bless all those doing this difficult job!

[dianarose]

That would be so hard to do, my heart goes out to them all, to the families.. Thank you to all those recovery helpers

[artlessons]

So very sorry for all who have this terrible but needed task. May God bless all of them.

[sylviafoust]

Thank you to all who are helping. Pray for the victims.

[helenmorelli]

It takes a special person to do this work; please thank these workers whether in person or in your heart. Remember that they are human just like you and me. They are not being paid to do this gruesome work. And for you and me, remember they are doing this to find loved ones for folks already devastated. Pray for them.

[mackeysman]

Thank you Travis & Kevin. Your work is important too!

[OrioleBeagle]

Montgomery County, Maryland Fire Department and Fairfax County, Virginia Fire Department have units trained and funded by FEMA to do Search and Rescue all over the US and abroad. When they are deployed for FEMA they don't wear their county firefighter uniforms they wear FEMA supplied uniforms instead.

[SOLveteran]

I will be out there soon hopefully. Lots of people are in the process of volunterring under FEMA SCF to come and help

[jayhadcock]

If you can do this you can do anything that is a great super power not all have 99% have no idea the compassion it takes to care I know I care I feel the sorrow 😢

[chickallica]

All I see is FEMA photo ops. Hats off to the real hero’s of this tragic event… the legit UNITED States citizens who don’t work for the establishment.

[brendadickenson]

Thank you for doing such a difficult but necessary task.

[Wedge-Antilles]

There's bodies buried under the river now. The dirt piled on top.