Disaster Response United States Project #66930

Support Urgent Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

by All Hands and Hearts

Support Urgent Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

Project Report | Sep 25, 2026
Our Hurricane Helene program takes a final bow!

By Christine Baer | Grants Manager

Thank you from the Hurricane Helene Staff!

Dear Friends,

Recovery Is Built Together, Over Time

When All Hands & Hearts arrived in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, the work was immediate. Families needed help making damaged homes safe, clearing debris and beginning the difficult process of figuring out what came next.

But response is only the beginning of recovery.

As the months passed, the work changed. Cleanup and stabilization gave way to repairs, and repairs became more complex. Our teams learned, adapted and stayed alongside communities as immediate needs evolved into the longer work of helping families return home.

By the close of the program, 9,724 people had been impacted through our work, 185 homes completed, and 1,200 unique volunteers had contributed 73,199.9 hours to North Carolina’s recovery.

Those numbers tell us how much work was done. They cannot fully tell us what was built.

Over the life of this program, we were reminded again and again that recovery is not simply restoring what was lost. It is an opportunity to make homes safer and more durable, strengthen the people and organizations carrying recovery forward, and reduce vulnerability to whatever comes next.

We also learned that recovery extends beyond the walls of a home.

In North Carolina, that sometimes meant winterizing a camper so a family could remain safely housed while waiting for its home to be rebuilt. It meant supporting a community-run grocery serving food-insecure Swannanoa and replacing the HVAC system at a local flower shop that had become a community hub.

Because households do not recover in isolation. Communities recover together.

The program strengthened All Hands & Hearts, too. Our teams improved construction and mold sanitation practices, strengthened assessment and safety procedures, learned more about resilient materials, and captured field knowledge that will travel with us into future disasters. Volunteers developed skills and grew into greater responsibility. Partnerships deepened. What we learned here became part of what we will bring to the next recovery.

That is one of the quiet legacies of long-term recovery: what is learned in one community can make the next recovery stronger.

And now, after 185 completed homes and more than 73,000 hours of volunteer service, our Hurricane Helene Recovery Program is coming to an end.

We leave behind repaired homes, but recovery was never only about houses.

We leave behind stronger relationships. Better systems. More experienced volunteers and staff. Greater knowledge about how to build safely and durably. Local partnerships strengthened through difficult work. And communities that carried their own recovery every step of the way.

Recovery is built together, over time.

In North Carolina, we watched that happen—from response to repair, from repair toward durable recovery, and from recovery toward greater resilience.

To the homeowners who trusted us with their homes; the local organizations and partners who shared their knowledge; the donors who made the work possible; our staff who stayed for the long haul; and the 1,200 volunteers who gave their hands, time and extraordinary commitment: thank you.

All Hands & Hearts will leave this program.

But the homes, relationships, knowledge and capacity built together in North Carolina remain.

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Jun 2, 2026
Recovery Continues in Appalachian Mountains

By Christine Baer | Grants Manager

It takes a team!

Program Deep Dive Report | April 2026

Dear Friends of All Hands & Hearts,

Hurricane Helene made landfall in September 2024 and became one of the most devastating disasters in North Carolina's history. The storm triggered catastrophic flooding, landslides, infrastructure damage, and widespread displacement across western North Carolina. Since arriving in the affected communities, All Hands and Hearts has supported survivors through emergency response, home recovery, volunteer engagement, and strategic partnerships focused on long-term resilience.

This report highlights progress achieved during the recovery phase through April 2026.

Executive Summary

The North Carolina Helene Recovery Program continues to support households and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene across western North Carolina. Recovery operations have transitioned from emergency response activities into contractor-supported home repair and reconstruction efforts, allowing the program to address increasingly complex recovery needs.

During the reporting period, the program completed significant recovery work through partnerships with the American Red Cross, North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM), Community Development Partners (CDP), local Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs), and community-based organizations. Additional support from a newly awarded Nucor grant will extend program activities through July 2026 and expand community resilience initiatives.

The program has successfully completed dozens of recovery projects while maintaining a survivor-centered approach focused on safety, resilience, and long-term recovery outcomes.

Program Overview

Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented damage across western North Carolina, resulting in widespread flooding, landslides, road failures, and damage to thousands of homes. More than 100 North Carolinians lost their lives, and recovery needs continue to impact communities months after the storm.

Recovery operations formally transitioned from response-focused activities to long-term recovery programming during 2025. As recovery needs evolved, the program shifted toward contractor-supported construction, critical home repairs, and partnership-driven recovery efforts designed to maximize available funding and community impact.

Current recovery work includes interior home repairs, critical systems restoration, roofing, electrical and plumbing repairs, foundation stabilization, mold remediation, and resilience-focused improvements that allow families to safely return home.

Recovery Impact & Project OutcomesTotal Recovery Activity

Through April 2026, the program has achieved the following milestones:

28 Red Cross-funded homes completed
17 NCEM/CDP/LTRG contractor-supported homes completed
28 Red Cross projects completed with an additional 8 projected for completion by the end of April
20 additional NCEM/CDP/LTRG projects currently in progress
1 Buncombe County LTRG case completed
8 additional LTRG cases in active progress
More than $30,900 invested through LTRG recovery projects

Current Recovery Work

Recovery activities currently underway include:

Interior reconstruction and drywall installation
Flooring replacement
Electrical repairs and rewiring
Plumbing restoration
Roof repair and replacement
HVAC replacement
Foundation stabilization
Mold remediation
Water filtration system replacement
Accessibility improvements including ADA ramps
Crawlspace insulation and moisture barrier installation

These repairs improve both household safety and long-term resilience while helping survivors return to stable living conditions.

Key Program HighlightsNucor Grant Extension

The program received a grant from Nucor that will support continued recovery operations through July 2026. The grant provides critical funding to extend recovery services, maintain program staffing, and expand community partnership initiatives focused on resilience and preparedness.

Red Cross Recovery Program

The American Red Cross partnership continues to provide substantial recovery support across western North Carolina. Recovery efforts funded through the partnership have enabled extensive interior repair projects addressing flood and storm damage for dozens of households.

By April 2026:

28 homes had been completed
Multiple projects were nearing completion
Additional homeowners remained in active construction phases

NCEM and Community Development Partners Recovery Program

Funding from NCEM and CDP supports contractor-based recovery efforts focused on critical home repairs. The program received approximately $435,000 from NCEM and an additional $100,000 from CDP to support recovery work on 25 homes through June 2026.

Projects include:

Electrical system restoration
Plumbing repairs
Roofing
Structural repairs
Foundation stabilization
Environmental remediation

Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) Collaboration

The Buncombe County Long-Term Recovery Group and United Way continue to provide funding and coordination support for homeowners with significant unmet recovery needs.

LTRG-funded projects address:

Roof replacement
Electrical repairs
Foundation stabilization
HVAC replacement
Mold remediation
Water filtration systems

These partnerships help ensure survivors with the greatest needs receive access to comprehensive recovery resources.

Partnership Development

Strategic partnerships continue to expand program impact and strengthen community recovery efforts.

Key partners include:

American Red Cross
North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM)
Community Development Partners (CDP)
Buncombe County Long-Term Recovery Group
United Way
Nucor
Wider Circle
Pigeon River Collective
BARN (Barnardsville Area Resilience Network)

Emerging community partnerships funded through the Nucor grant are focused on:

Food security initiatives
Community resilience projects
Volunteer engagement opportunities
Community training programs
Long-term preparedness activities

The program continues to demonstrate that strong local partnerships significantly increase recovery capacity and improve outcomes for survivors.

Volunteer Engagement & Team Development

Volunteer engagement remains a critical component of program success.

The program continues to host volunteers who contribute directly to recovery activities while creating meaningful connections with affected communities. Volunteer support has accelerated recovery timelines and strengthened community morale.

The reporting period also included:

Graduation of volunteer team members
Staff restructuring to support ramp-down planning
Team-building activities
Wellness initiatives designed to maintain morale during an extended recovery operation

Leadership remains committed to supporting staff wellbeing while navigating the demands of long-term disaster recovery.

Best Practices & Lessons LearnedFlexible Recovery Planning

Recovery timelines continue to be influenced by:

Contractor availability
Permitting requirements
Material procurement
Homeowner readiness
Funding restrictions

Program leadership identified flexibility as essential for maintaining progress while adapting to changing recovery conditions.

Partnership-Driven Recovery

The most successful recovery outcomes have resulted from strong collaboration between community organizations, government agencies, funders, and local recovery groups.

Key lessons include:

Invest early in relationship building
Maintain frequent partner communication
Coordinate funding streams whenever possible
Align recovery priorities with community needs

Contractor-Based Recovery Model

As recovery operations matured, contractor-supported projects became increasingly important for addressing complex repairs that exceed volunteer construction capacity.

This model enabled the program to:

Complete more technically complex repairs
Increase overall project throughput
Improve quality assurance
Expand support for vulnerable homeowners

Financial Overview

Projected direct program costs through June 2026 total approximately $3.9 million.

Major expense categories include:

Materials: $1.68M
Project Labor: $1.29M
Transportation & Fuel: $567K
Project Management: $265K
Tools & Equipment: $119K

The majority of expenditures continue to support direct recovery activities, including construction labor, building materials, and survivor-focused project delivery.

Looking Ahead

Recovery priorities for the coming months include:

Completing remaining Red Cross and NCEM-funded projects
Implementing Nucor-funded community initiatives
Continuing contractor-supported recovery work
Finalizing base consolidation and operational ramp-down planning
Strengthening resilience-focused community partnerships

These efforts will help ensure that recovery investments continue to create sustainable benefits for affected communities.

Conclusion

The North Carolina Helene Recovery Program continues to demonstrate the impact of long-term, survivor-centered disaster recovery. Through strategic partnerships, flexible operations, contractor-supported reconstruction, volunteer engagement, and community collaboration, the program has helped families rebuild their homes and regain stability after one of North Carolina's most devastating disasters.

While significant recovery needs remain, the progress achieved to date reflects the dedication of staff, volunteers, funders, partners, and community members working together toward a shared goal: helping survivors recover stronger and more resilient than before.

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May 26, 2026
Update on Hurricane Helene-Milton Recovery Program

By Christine Baer | Grants Manager

Dear Friends of All Hands & Hearts,

Executive Summary

The Pasco Phase 3 Recovery Program supported communities in Pasco County, Florida following Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The storms caused extensive flooding, structural damage, and displacement across the region. The program transitioned from emergency response into long-term recovery operations in March 2025 and focused on repairing homes, strengthening resilience, and supporting survivor recovery.

Phase 3 recovery efforts combined contractor-based repairs, volunteer engagement, strategic partnerships, preparedness initiatives, and survivor-centered services. The program successfully completed dozens of home repairs and resilience projects while leveraging partnerships with organizations such as the Red Cross, JP Morgan volunteers, Volunteer Florida, and local recovery groups.

Program Overview

Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought severe flooding, wind damage, and widespread disruption to Pasco County during September and October 2024. The storms damaged homes, infrastructure, and community systems, creating long-term recovery needs across the region.

The recovery operation formally transitioned from emergency response to recovery in March 2025. The organization scaled operations based on available funding and community needs while maintaining limited response capabilities during hurricane season. Additional funding allowed recovery operations to extend through September 2026.

Recovery Impact & Project OutcomesTotal Recovery Activity

The program completed a broad range of recovery services, including:

31 debris removals
101 muck-and-gut operations
89 mold sanitizations
32 home repairs
34 Red Cross funded projects
45 Volunteer Florida funded projects

Phase 3 Recovery Projects

Major repair and resilience work included:

10 electrical repairs
9 HVAC repairs
13 bathroom repairs
12 kitchen repairs
13 roof repairs
7 storm shutter installations
22 Red Cross funded projects
22 Volunteer Florida funded projects
12 mold sanitation kit trainings
20 preparedness backpacks distributed

These repairs improved both household safety and long-term disaster resilience.

Key Program HighlightsRed Cross Expanded Recovery Assistance (ERA)

The ERA Program provided one-time $4,500 payments for eligible survivors. The team submitted 42 applications, representing more than 20% of all recipients across the entire ERA project.

Program status included:

21 active cases
7 applications in progress
18 processed and paid
$81,000 in direct assistance distributed to survivors

WD-40 Storm Shutter Project

Through the WD-40 grant, the team installed hurricane shutters on seven homes after repair work had already been completed. These improvements increased protection against future storms and reduced anxiety among homeowners entering future hurricane seasons.

The project specifically targeted vulnerable households that otherwise would not have been able to afford resilience upgrades.

JP Morgan Volunteer Engagement

The organization hosted a volunteer team from JP Morgan in March to assist with painting and home improvement activities. The volunteer engagement provided meaningful support to the homeowner while also boosting morale and community connection.

Staff Wellness & Organizational Transition

As the operation shifted from volunteer-supported recovery to a contractor-based recovery model, leadership prioritized staff wellness and team cohesion. Off-program staff visits, wellness funding, and team-building activities helped maintain morale and strengthen collaboration during a demanding recovery phase.

Best Practices & Lessons LearnedIntake & Screening Improvements

The program identified streamlined intake and screening systems as critical to improving operational efficiency and reducing emotional strain on homeowners.

Key recommendations included:

Developing standardized digital intake systems
Centralizing online intake processes
Standardizing contractor management tools
Maintaining regular homeowner communication checkpoints

Partnership Development

Strong local partnerships significantly expanded program capacity and accelerated recovery efforts.

Important partnerships included:

Endeavors
Pasco LTRG
Hernando LTRG
Mustard Seed Program
Pasco County Emergency Management
St. Bernard Project
Red Cross ERA Program
GAF Partnership
Habitat for Humanity

The report emphasized that early relationship-building and ongoing collaboration were essential for efficient recovery operations.

Operational Flexibility

Program leadership identified operational flexibility as essential during long-term recovery work. Contractor-based recovery required adaptable timelines due to permitting, insurance processing, homeowner readiness, and vendor availability.

Recommendations included:

Building contingency capacity into recovery plans
Allowing flexibility in schedules and deliverables
Investing in operational infrastructure and logistics systems

Survivor Feedback

Survivor testimonials highlighted the emotional and practical impact of the recovery work. Homeowners consistently praised the professionalism, compassion, and speed of repairs.

Common themes included:

Increased safety and stability
Reduced anxiety about future storms
Gratitude for respectful communication
Improved living conditions for families and children

Several survivors described the assistance as “life-saving” and transformative for their families.

Financial Overview

The program projected approximately $3.18 million in direct costs through May 2026.

Major expense categories included:

Materials: $1.82M
Project labor: $874K
Transportation/Fuel: $296K
Project management: $171K

The report noted that forecasted expenses increased due to program extension timelines, while some April variances reflected missing rent charges and lower overtime than expected.

Conclusion

The Pasco Phase 3 Recovery Program demonstrated a successful transition from emergency response to sustainable long-term recovery. Through strategic partnerships, flexible operations, resilience-focused repairs, and survivor-centered services, the program delivered meaningful recovery outcomes for households affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The operation not only restored damaged homes but also strengthened community preparedness and resilience for future disasters.

Links:

Flooding in Ridge Manor

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