Beaufort Rallies Together for Western North Carolina Flood Relief
BEAUFORT — It’s heartwarming to witness communities pulling together in times of crisis, and that’s exactly what’s happening here in Beaufort. When former Mayor Stephen Murray made a call for donations to help those affected by Tropical Storm Helene, he expected a slow build-up of supplies. But oh, was he in for a surprise! The generosity of local folks completely blew him away.
Within just two days, Murray watched the donation boxes fill up rapidly. What started as a plan for a single trip to deliver supplies quickly morphed into a larger initiative to help the flood-stricken regions of western North Carolina. “We raised 10 or 12 pallets of stuff in two days because our community is amazingly generous,” Murray exclaimed. What a fantastic display of community spirit!
A Quick Response
Realizing that they had amassed a significant amount of essential items, Murray and his team decided they needed to hit the road without delay. They loaded up trucks with an impressive array of donations including water, diapers, pet food, cleaning supplies, and even shovels and rakes. And just when you think it can’t get any better, Craig Reaves, the owner of Sea Eagle Market, stepped up with his refrigerated truck to carry an incredible 900 bags of ice!
On the morning of October 1, they set out towards Canton, North Carolina—a town that has faced its fair share of flooding disasters. Murray had met the town’s mayor, Zeb Smathers, a few years ago at a conference, and the two had built a rapport over the years. After learning how Canton was affected by the earlier storm, it made perfect sense to send help their way.
Choosing Canton
Focusing their efforts on Canton was more than just a friendly city-to-city link; it was a practical decision. Roads into the area remained open, making it feasible to deliver supplies. The recent flooding has been devastating, with reports describing the scale of destruction as “apocalyptic.” Fortunately, they’ve so far avoided storm-related fatalities within the town limits, but it’s a dire situation nonetheless. Smathers indicated that the expected death toll in the larger Haywood County is likely to rise as rescue efforts ramp up.
Upon arriving at Beulah Baptist Church in Canton, Murray and Reaves were greeted with immense gratitude from locals who were in desperate need of assistance. Reaves shared, “This lady told me, ‘Everybody’s taking stuff to Asheville.’ They hadn’t gotten any relief in the community.” It’s a reminder that, while larger cities often attract more attention, smaller towns can struggle just as much—or even more—in the wake of disasters.
Needs and Challenges
The immediate needs in Canton were unmistakable. Residents desperately required water, and while utility services were slowly being restored, communication challenges presented their own barriers to recovery. Restoring phone service has been prioritized, as without it, organizing relief and maintaining public awareness remains tough.
As of October 2, volunteers in Beaufort have been busy collecting and packing supplies for a convoy scheduled to leave early the next day. Approximately seven vehicles are expected to carry an astonishing 42 pallets of much-needed relief supplies. But even as they prepare to head back, Murray understands that they may need to make additional stops in other areas affected by the storm.
A Shared Journey
While road closures and limited gas supplies may present challenges on the way, what truly shines through this effort is the *unity and support* from the Beaufort community. Mayor Smathers from Canton expressed how much this support means: “It fundamentally means a lot to know that the people of South Carolina have our back. These supplies don’t just provide necessities; they provide hope, and we need every little bit of hope right now.”
The kindness and rapid response displayed by residents is just a snapshot of the incredible strength found in communities during difficult times. Let’s continue to hope for a swift recovery for areas impacted by Helen, with the knowledge that help is on the way and that people truly care.
