Y’all, today, we need to change plans and talk about Hurricane Helene.

Many of us are already aware but if anyone has missed the scale of what has happened – Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend last Thursday evening as a massive Category Four Hurricane and made its way through Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, and, finally, into Virginia – causing unthinkable total loss, as right at this moment – 10.4.24 at 9:30 am – the death toll is 215 according to NBC News – and continues to rise with many still missing.

All of the areas that were affected by Helene had already experienced unusual amounts of rain prior to the hurricane – making them more prone to flash flooding – and, as has been described, “biblical destruction.”

Add to this, the incredible size of Helene brought it to mountainous areas that would normally never see such weather – and now are devastated and it is difficult to reach them with supplies.

First, here is a CNN article that documents well the track of Helene:

CNN: What Hurricane Helene’s 500 Mile Path of Destruction Looks Like.

In the wake of this natural disaster, there are widespread power and cellular outages – and also water outages (of even more concern).

President Biden has deployed 1000 active duty troops to the areas affected in addition to each state’s National Guard deployments.

The Cajun Navy has arrived to help – and supplies are even being taken by mule to mountainous areas.

Some concerns that also come to to mind are getting urgently need medications for patients, managing oxygen for those who must have it, getting cancer patients their chemo and radiation therapies, and dialysis patients must be dialyzed on schedule. All of these are of utmost importance.

(An aside, affecting hospitals everywhere – the largest manufacturer of IV fluids was damaged and had to be shut down – leading to shortages already: Baxter Manufacturing Plant Damaged.

In considering ways we might help, The Today Show released a list today with several ideas I really love. Among them:

World Central Kitchen. – Providing food and tanker trucks of water on-site now in affected areas.

Humane Society Emergency Fund. – The Humane Society is on the ground helping the many animals in crisis as well.

Feeding America Food Banks. – National Food Banks with an on-the-ground presence working in the affected areas.

Save The Children’s Emergency Fund. – Providing assistance to children in affected areas.

Here is the complete article if you are interested: Today Show Hurricane Helene Relief.

We will be talking more about ways to help as they become clear.

As this continues to unfold, please keep the people of the affected areas close to your hearts. This is going to be a long recovery.

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.