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Western North Carolina residents saw unprecedented destruction when Hurricane Helene ripped across the area causing catastrophic damage to homes, towns and roads on Friday, Sept. 27. As of Monday, officials are racing to get more food, water and supplies covered over by flood water, according to North Carolina news outlets. Outlets report that state officials have closed 400 roads that are unsafe for travel; approximately 30 people have died and hundreds are missing.

Beaufort County residents who would like to donate food, water and/or clothing can do so through the following organizations:

• The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is collecting donations of disaster relief supplies at the rear entrance of our office to fill an enclosed trailer which will be taken to the affected western counties. Sheriffs in western North Carolina are managing with limited resources and Sheriff Hammonds is in communications with the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association who is helping sheriffs coordinate support for one another. If you are interested in donating items to fill our trailer you can bring your donation to the back entrance of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (behind the Beaufort County Courthouse at 112 W. 2nd Street in Washington).  We will be collecting the following items for this trip: Non perishable food items (consider items that do not need to be cooked to eat), paper towels & toilet paper, toiletry items (travel packs contain all needed items), bottled water, flashlights with batteries. BCSO is working with Sydney Volunteer Fire Department to collect supplies which can be dropped off at the station (6755 N. Savannah Road, Belhaven).
• Beaufort County Animal Services is accepting donations of animal supplies that will be transported to Western NC. Drop off donations at Beaufort County Animal Shelter. (3931 U.S. Highway 264 E., Washington). Drop off hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. We hope to have all supplies collected by Thursday, Oct. 3.
• N.C. Cooperative Extension, Beaufort County Center will collect donations Monday Sept. 30 ( 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and Tuesday, Oct. 1 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.). The center is located at 155 Airport Road in Washington.
• To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate.  Donations can also be mailed 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.