The American Red Cross is working with government agencies and other nonprofit organizations to help those affected by Hurricane Helene get the services they need to recover from this devastating storm.

Red Cross volunteers are providing comfort kits, cleanup kits and client care services such as disaster mental health, health services and spiritual care. Volunteers are also connecting people affected by Helene with services provided by generous community partners.

A steady stream of people have come by, many of them heartbroken by the loss they’ve experienced as a result of this disaster. Each family has unique needs and requests.

• One woman was just getting out of surgery when Hurricane Helene made landfall nearly two weeks ago. As she waited in the recovery room, she learned about the impact of the storm. She asked about her home and knew by the looks on everyone’s face that it was bad. Not only did her home suffer major flood damage, but a large crack appeared up the side of her house. The woman is staying in the house until she learns if it will be deemed livable.
• Another man and his father came by the MARC after the foundation of their home was destroyed. They wanted to see what services were available to them.
• One couple wondered if they could get help with a generator so they could provide power to their home following the storm.
   

Many community members who showed up to the MARC didn’t want to talk about their experiences during this difficult time. Families are hurting and have expressed that they would like to find some sense of normalcy.

All day long at the MARC in Elizabethton, people have come by and asked for supplies such as rakes, shovels, water and boxed meals to take back to what’s left of their homes. American Red Cross volunteers lined up to deliver these items and even formed an assembly line to load and unload goods.

Volunteers will continue to remain on the ground supporting those impacted by Helene, as the needs are great, and people are still learning of the services being provided.

There are currently two MARCs are set up in the following locations:

• Elizabethton: 1749 Hwy 19E, Elizabethton, TN
• Jonesborough: 306 Forest Dr., Jonesborough, TN
   

These locations are open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. EST, Monday – Saturday, and 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. EST on Sunday.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), and FEMA are also on the ground to answer questions and provide assistance. TEMA is working with impacted communities to identify additional locations for MARCs, as needed, to serve all impacted community members.

If you have questions about how you can receive assistance following Hurricane Helene, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcross.org.