ON THE GROUND AFTER HELENE

On September 27th, 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina. In what is considered one of the largest geological events in US history, the storm released 40 trillion gallons of rainfall over the region, causing over 2000 landslides and widespread catastrophic damage to infrastructure, utilities, homes and businesses. Flood levels in the riverways reached the greatest heights in recorded history. The economic impact of the storm has been estimated to be over $78 Billion dollars.

Across WNC, the destruction was unfathomable. In Marshall, NC, The French Broad River Crested at 27 feet above base flood elevation. The entire town was submerged, with the water level reaching over 12’ and into the second stories of some buildings. Every building in Marshall’s downtown corridor was severely damaged and 8 buildings completely collapsed.

BORN IN THE MUD

When the floodwaters receded, the residents and business owners of downtown Marshall faced the monumental task of rebuilding their town. On September 30th, 2024, a group of Madison County residents established a makeshift relief station on the edge of town, just outside the river valley. Within hours, a surge of community members joined the effort, and within days, the site transformed into a major relief hub teeming with hundreds of volunteers daily.

What began as a small but hopeful endeavor spawned by just a few individuals, swiftly became recognized as one of the most organized and effective relief operations in the region. Amid this impressive display of community cohesion, the Marshall Relief Alliance was born.

MEET ME AT THE HUB...

For months the hub swarmed with activity. Parking and shuttling services were developed to transport up to 500 volunteers in and out of the work zones daily. A community kitchen was built, serving up as many as 1,500 meals a day. Safety protocols for protective wear were quickly developed and every volunteer was outfitted. Clean up and decontamination systems were also implemented for workers and equipment. Thousands of tools and equipment were organized and distributed.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars in material donations poured in from across the country. The logistical challenge of receiving, handling, storing, and distributing the food, household items, tools, equipment, and building materials was monumental—but networks of aid distribution were developed and runners were sent all across the region to ensure those items reached the people with the greatest need for them, and that nothing went to waste.

While continuing to expand and operate the relief Hub, The Marshall Relief Alliance also developed several key programs.

Rebuild Marshall: An initiative that leverages material procurement and distribution, volunteer coordination, and direct funding for downtown Marshall building and business owners.

Feeding Hope (now paused) : Following Helene, our community kitchen quickly became a vital resource for community gathering and cohesion and continued to serve meals through the winter.

Heating & Utility Assistance: An ongoing program offering direct material and financial aid for heating and other utility costs for disaster-affected individuals.

Residential Rebuild: A program that offers volunteer coordination, material distribution, and land stabilization for disaster-impacted residents.

Voluntourism: An emerging initiative which builds on the organization’s successful volunteer coordination, offering tourists opportunities to experience a more meaningful connection to our mountain region and its people during their visits, while providing financial support and labor for projects that benefit the local communities in our region.

OUR IMPACT:

90 DAYS POST-HELENE

12,000+ hot meals served
$245,685 in tools and equipment distributed
$69,000 in emergency shelters provided
$556,800 in PPE supplied to volunteers cleaning up downtown Marshall

WINTER '25/26

Heating & Utility Assistance program supported 1,510 individuals
Distributed 1,390 heaters, 237 generators, 183 carbon monoxide detectors, 285 propane tanks
Partnered with a local supplier to subsidize 550+ propane refills
Total Heating & Utility Assistance Program investment: $13,133

VOLUNTEER COORDINATION

12,745 volunteers mobilized to date
50,981 volunteer hours logged
Based on the national average for volunteer labor value, MRA’s volunteer coordination efforts have provided an estimated labor value of $1,707,364

REBUILD MARSHALL PROGRAM

$33,215 invested in volunteer coordination, building materials, subcontractors, and equipment rentals for disaster-impacted businesses
$4,748 invested in land remediation on residential properties
$15,335 invested in materials and labor for residential rebuilds
$44,000 in micro-grants for small businesses downtown
Total Program investment: $121,465

About Marshall Relief Alliance