Today was a hurricane.
Literally, there was a hurricane. I would probably also say “today was a hurricane” when it was a stressful day, but that’s not what I mean in this blog.
Hurricane Helene came through this weekend and wreaked unbelievable havoc on the southeast. While hurricanes are common this time of year, the intensity, path, and destruction of this one was devastatingly unexpected.
I live in northeast Florida, my sister is in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, and my parents in the Columbia, South Carolina area, so we each felt its impact in different ways. I happened to be visiting my parents when the storm came through. We didn’t evacuate to go there; we had already been planning to visit. It was an unusual feeling to leave Florida and be in a worse position.
Luckily, we only lost power for half a day. This and restocking groceries were the only inconveniences we faced. My sister had some tornado warnings and lost power briefly, too. Some friends in the area lost trees and many were without water and power, but otherwise okay.
But not all places were affected this minimally.
By now I assume you’ve heard the devastating news coming from the Asheville, North Carolina area. When something this big with this much lack of information, it can be hard to know what to do to help. In the coming weeks we will continue to learn more about the impact. Already I’ve seen reports of 200 dead, and that number is expected to rise by hundreds. The interstate damage isn’t expected to be fixed for a full year. Similarly to Hurricane Katrina, we won’t understand the complexity of the situation for years.
Relief efforts are often confusing, too. So many people want to help, but just like with any form of missional engagement, it can be hard to know what’s helpful and what’s not. There are immediate basic needs to be met and long-term solutions to work toward.
Something that often happens is that well-meaning people send trailers full of supplies like water and paper goods. Unfortunately, these don’t always reach the areas they are meant to support. They get allocated elsewhere, or are just simply unable to reach their intended destination. They may even get in the way of stronger, more helpful relief efforts. It’s hard to write about, because this obviously is not the intention. But the fact remains: not all versions of “relief efforts” are equal.
There are two books that speak to this idea in a larger, missional sense. I would recommend them to anyone who is reading this blog feeling confused or defensive about their desire to help, not knowing they may be causing more harm. Although these books don’t speak specifically to natural disasters, they will help you understand the difference between helping and not helping.
You can also read my EMPOWERED Mission Trip Devotional Journal which includes prompts for reflection as you process.
While reading these books won’t offer any immediate assistance to those who have been affected by Hurricane Helene, they will help you begin to think differently about how you can help. For those desiring to support the Asheville area, please do not go there. Entering is nearly impossible and can often be more of a distraction than a support. There are many trusted organizations to donate to who are working together to meet the greatest needs without causing any issue. Thank you to Kayla Cornish of Legacy Roots Co for this list.
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