Hurricane Helene Aid Information
To support our members, their families and their communities affected by Hurricane Helene, we're gathering a list of member relief initiatives. If your organization has a recovery effort please share it with us, and we’ll compile the links for our membership to choose how they can best offer their help. Our unity and compassion can make a real difference. Let’s come together to help and uplift those in need from this devastating storm.
Explore Asheville's Recovery Efforts Information
North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians Relief Resources
North Carolina Foundation for Nursing Nurse Recovery Fund.
Shared from NC Nurses Association: donations to this fund will be distributed to actively-licensed Registered Nurses in North Carolina who have been impacted by Helene based on a sliding scale of needs.
North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Resources
The Latest from NC Medical Society on Hurricane Helene
Mental health resources for those impacted by Hurricane Helene provided by National Association of Social Workers - North Carolina:
https://www.naswnc.org/page/helenerelief
https://www.naswnc.org/page/MHProviders
NSA-WNC SPEAKERS - STRENGTH AFTER THE STORM
Affected Member Updates
Below has been shared from AENC members, found on member websites or through social media. This list is not exhaustive of AENC Members affected.
Like the rest of our community, Explore Asheville has been heartbroken by the devastating personal, natural, and economic loss from Hurricane Helene that our region has endured. However, we are heartened by the gumption, grit, and sense of community of our people and place.
As we navigate recovery and the road to re-opening, we are creating pathways for those who love the Asheville area to stay connected and lend support. Here are two ways you can join us:
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- Shop and sustain local businesses and artists through Love Asheville From Afar
- Stand with us by contributing to the Always Asheville Fund
In many places, power and water have been restored. Our community's comeback will come in stages and pockets. We are mindful that higher impact areas will not return as quickly as others. We are also full of hope and heart as businesses begin to reopen. Collectively, we are making plans to welcome guests back in the near future. Stay tuned.
Always, Asheville
Love Asheville From Afar
Local, independent businesses are the heart of Asheville, home to growers who are artists and artists whose work grows. Thought leaders and thought provokers, musicians and storytellers, entrepreneurs and educators, foodies and beer lovers, hippies, healers, adventurers, creators and innovators.
While the community comes together to rebuild, you can lend a helping hand from afar by shopping at these businesses' online stores or contributing to fundraising efforts.
Every purchase counts—thank you for standing with us.
Explore Asheville has established the Always Asheville Fund to assist our small businesses with emergency grants – not loans – to help sustain the vibrant, creative, and deeply rooted community that makes the Asheville area distinct.
This support is crucial: according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 40% of small businesses do not reopen after a disaster.
Now is the time to stand with Asheville’s resilient small businesses—the artists, chefs, brewers, makers and more who give our ever-evolving Blue Ridge Mountain community its character. Your donation—large or small—will aid in part to sustain this deeply rooted, creative community that we all love.
Thanks to the incredible work of so many generous people, recovery is happening all around us. Biltmore plans to reopen and celebrate the joy of the holiday season together during Christmas at Biltmore, beginning November 2.
Read more about impacts to the estate as well as our $2 million pledge to provide immediate localized support via our newly established Biltmore Relief Fund for WNC.
Hampton Inn and Suites Asheville Biltmore Village is currently closed due to the effects of Hurricane Helene. If assistance is needed, please call 1-800-HILTONS.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville - Biltmore is open, with limited or reduced services. Phones and internet services are not yet available, and our pool and restaurant remain closed. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Chetola Resort & Spa at Blowing Rock
Chetola Resort fortunately remained open through the storm with all our amenities taking reservations during the fall foliage. The Blue Ridge Parkway around Chetola Resort has been cleaned as well. We look forward to hosting you soon!
As of September 30th, our internet services were restored and the property is fully operational. Roads in the immediate area are open, but please check traffic reports. We look forward to welcoming you again. Travel Safely!
Grand Bohemian Asheville, Autograph Collection
Update – September 30 - A special message from Richard C. Kessler:
“I am heartbroken by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Biltmore Village, Asheville, and Western North Carolina. Our hearts
and prayers go out to all affected by the storm.
Due to the extensive flooding, road closures, and power and water outages throughout the region, Grand Bohemian Asheville will remain closed as we assess the damage to the hotel and Biltmore Village. Since the property’s debut 15 years ago, I have personally witnessed the incredible strength and resilience of the Asheville community and know that we can overcome this tragedy together. We are grateful for the first responders who have been integral in ensuring the safety of our guests, neighbors, and hard-working team of Kessler Grand Performers. I would also like to commend our incredible team for their actions to safeguard this much loved Grand Bohemian hotel.
Updates on Grand Bohemian Asheville’s rebuilding and reopening efforts will be shared on our webpage. While cell coverage in the area is spotty or down, we ask that any needed property communication be sent to GBAinfo@Kesslercollection.com.”
– Richard C. Kessler, Chairman and CEO of The Kessler Collection
Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center
"Lake Junaluska is still open for guests, and we have rooms available at a discounted rate for those affected by the hurricane. We do not have cell phone service at this time or internet service for guests, but The Terrace Hotel and Lambuth Inn do have power."
To volunteer at Lake Junaluska, meet daily at 10 a.m. at Stuart Auditorium (Monday-Friday).
To donate to Lake Junaluska, visit lakejunaluska.com/give.
Our hearts are heavy following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helen across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. We are diligently working to assess the damages at hotels within the impacted areas. Our valued McKibbon associates are our top priority, and we are connecting impacted team members with relief and support efforts, including our own Employee Assistance Relief Fund. If you'd like to directly support our employees who have been impacted by this natural disaster, please click this link. Each dollar will be matched by the McKibbon Hospitality Foundation and all funds raised go directly to McKibbon associates in need. We cannot thank you enough for your support during this difficult time.
Parks Hospitality Asheville Hotels
DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Downtown
Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown
“All employees are accounted for and our hotels in downtown Asheville were virtually untouched. We've cleaned the debris and are just waiting on the city of Asheville to restore water and we will be resuming normal operations.”
SAVE BEACON VILLAGE - Shared by a fellow AENC Member
Beacon Village is a quiet, quaint neighborhood of mill houses in Swannanoa, NC that was devastated by Hurricane Helene on Friday, September 27, 2024.
The goal of Save Beacon Village is to rebuild homes flooded in Hurricane Helene, beginning with the street you see in these photos on which houses were submerged - water over the gutters and neighbors rescued from roofs. This community is not is a flood plain and is a four hour drive from the closest ocean. Residents did not have flood insurance and never expected their homes to be destroyed by a hurricane.
"Is open and ready to serve guests and any displaced groups!"
The Waynesville Inn and Golf Club
10/15/24: "We have some good new to share from here at the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club. Our hotel is accepting all guests, our restaurant is open for members and hotel guests for 3 meals a day. The back 9 holes of our golf course are reopening on Thursday, October 17 for members and hotel guests. A reopen date for the front 9 has not been set."
