By Jillian Robertson, Senior Manager, Long-Term Recovery Communications

Two years ago, Hurricane Helene tore across Georgia, destroying homes and businesses, and displacing families. It carved a wider path, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.

All told, the Red Cross provided nearly 56,500 overnight shelter stays and 3.3 million meals and snacks with partners across nine affected states in the days and weeks following landfall. But recovery did not end there.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the long-term recovery work continued, including multiple rounds of direct financial assistance to affected families and long-term recovery grants to local community organizations providing services to survivors. These included mental health, home repair and rebuilding, legal aid, and support to stand up Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs).

As with any recovery, it was made possible through the power of partnerships. One hurricane survivor embodied just that.

Connie’s Story

Constance "Connie" Carson lived in Douglas, Georgia, before Hurricane Helene hit. During a Red Cross site visit, members of the Red Cross Long-Term Recovery team joined partners in surveying the repair work being done on her home.

Ms. Connie pointed to the ceiling, indicating the repairs completed by Team Rubicon. When she learned the organization would replace her roof at no cost, she said, "I was hollering, jumping up and down."

The floor was repaired using funds from an additional round of Red Cross financial assistance. "Red Cross sent me the money. What was needed most was to fix the floors, which were falling in," she said.

Together, those efforts made it possible for Ms. Connie to return to a home that was safe and secure.

"Thank you for helping me," she said. "I don't know how I'd do it on my own."

A Look Back and a Look Ahead

The Georgia region has weathered many storms before Helene and will face many more in the future. A milestone such as two years provides an opportunity to reflect not only on how far the community has come since the hurricane made landfall but also on how far it still has to go.

Through it all, the Red Cross is here to provide support alongside our partners and remains deeply embedded in the communities we serve.

Read previous stories from the Georgia region about Hurricane Helene.

• From Ruins to Recovery: Hope in Georgia One Year After Hurricane Helene
• Almost two years after Hurricane Helene tore through Georgia, the Red Cross is still providing hope, relief and comfort.

Learn more about the Red Cross supporting Hurricane Helene recovery.

• Read the Hurricane Helene Two-Year Report.