Prayers needed for Western North Carolina’s following catastrophic devastation from remnants of Hurricane Helene. Search and rescue remain a critical mission; agricultural assessments only beginning.
- First, I want to say thank you to everyone who has offered up prayers and has donated money, supplies, water, feed, hay, fencing and anything else following Hurricane Helene.
- They are reaching people in Western NC, and they are greatly appreciated. We know there will be continued needs and ongoing efforts to support and help the area rebuild.
- I have put out a plea for fencing supplies to help with immediate needs to replace and repair damaged fencing. We especially could use some solar fence chargers if folks are willing to donate those.
- We have received a lot of offers of hay and feed and that has been helpful filling immediate needs. We have a number of drop-off locations and staging areas for feed that you can find listed on our website at www.ncagr.gov. We have a Hurricane information link on the front page. The list of drop-off locations is continually being updated.
- The need for hay and feed will be ongoing through springtime.
- I would remind folks that our hotline for assistance is activated. You can call it from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The number is 866-645-9403.
- I know agriculture damage will be major, but damage assessments have not started since the major focus of efforts has been on search and rescue and emergency assistance.
- I know there are around 13,000 farms in the areas that have been impacted.
- The department continues working to assist however we can.
- We have over NC Forest Service personnel on the ground working with local emergency management to clear roadways and assist with rescue efforts.
- The Food Distribution team has been coordinating and delivering emergency food supplies, including drops of emergency feeding supplies for Baptists on Mission mass feeding sites and food for MANNA FoodBank, whose warehouse was completely destroyed.
- The Animal Welfare Section has been in communication with the 200-plus animal shelters and boarding facilities in the region assisting with their needs and connecting donated food supplies.
- Our Agricultural Emergency Operations, which is heading up much of our department efforts, has been working with public and private industry partners on disaster relief and agricultural emergencies.
- The Western Ag Center is being used as a shelter to house some of those who have lost their homes. This location is also going to serve as a pet supply drop-off location as well.
- The Western NC Farmers Market is serving as a distribution site for Manna Food Bank.
- The Food & Drug Protection Division has been working with Grade A dairies impacted to help them get their animals milked. They are also working with breweries that have not been impacted to be able to can water for use in areas affected.
- Members of the Marketing Division’s Livestock team are on the ground working with farmers to address immediate needs, getting feed and supplies to hard-to-reach areas and transporting some livestock that need additional care.
- The Veterinary teams are in contact with livestock operations to assess needs and work to secure feed, water, and hay.
- The Poultry Health team has been in communication with the hundreds of poultry farms in the impacted area to provide assistance, including coordinating feed and gas supplies to keep generators running.
- Research Stations and staff have been activated and those outside of the affected area have helped move equipment and supplies into Western NC.
- Several of our mountain research stations are:
- serving as distribution hubs for hay and feed, and other donated supplies;
- cooking for local emergency response workers and community members;
- hosting a portable shower and washing machines.
- The Soil & Water team is coordinating with districts across the state.
- Other Divisions have been working with their respective industries to provide waivers and support. There are countless other divisions and efforts that are underway.
- Even our State Fair Division has been looking for ways to help, serving as a collection site for donations and activating our State Fair Cares donation site.
- This was first activated in 2018 as a way for fairgoers to give to Hurricane Florence relief efforts when they purchased their online fair tickets.
- This time around the MANNA FoodBank in Western NC will be the recipient of donations.
- Please continue to pray for people in Western North Carolina, and continue to support our farmers by buying local.