Hurricane Helene and Milton Relief Resources
In the far-reaching wakes of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, residents, businesses and travel industry colleagues in several states across the southeast United States, including North Carolina and Florida, have been working to recover. If you're wondering how to stay informed and be part of the effort, even from afar, keep reading.
In response to Hurricane Helene, Explore Asheville, a 501(c)6 nonprofit, has established the Always Asheville Fund to support small, independent travel and hospitality businesses in Asheville and across Buncombe County as they work to recover and rebuild.
According to Explore Asheville, the Fund will provide emergency grants—not loans—to help sustain the vibrant, creative, and deeply rooted community that makes the Asheville area unique. This support is crucial: According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 40% of small businesses do not reopen after a disaster. The organization aims to change that statistic for the region's local entrepreneurs, ensuring their stories continue to shape its community's future.
To start the Always Asheville Fund, Explore Asheville has committed $300,000 from earned revenue to the Fund, and a grant application process will be stood up to help get these resources into the community.
In addition, this initial phase of the sustained recovery plan also includes Concert for Carolina, a benefit concert featuring Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor & Friends. Explore Asheville has pledged $1 million as the presenting sponsor of the event taking place on October 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with all proceeds, including sponsorships, supporting aid relief efforts.
Visit North Carolina also shared the following resources for those looking to help:
- North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
- NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund
- NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund
- Airbnb Emergency Housing
- Southern Smoke Foundation
The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Hard Rock International are committing $1 million in monetary donations to support the relief efforts for those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The funds will support two world-renowned organizations, World Central Kitchen and the American Red Cross, to aid in immediate recovery and long-term rebuilding for communities devastated by catastrophic storms from Florida to the Carolinas and Tennessee.
Visit Florida has also shared a number of resources and ways folks can get involved in recovery efforts and stay informed:
- Volunteer Opportunities
- The Florida Disaster Fund
- FloridaDisaster.org
- Florida Attractions Association
The American Bus Association and other industry associations have also made available resources aimed at assisting those impacted by the hurricanes.
Courtesy of Groups Today.
