AFGE District 4 and Local 2065 in Jacksonville, N.C., are taking the lead in the relief efforts to help Local 446 members in Asheville ravaged by Hurricane Helene.
Helene made landfall on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane, dumping heavy rain that led to catastrophic landslides and historic flooding. Hundreds of roads were closed as highways washed into rivers. Hundreds of thousands of families lost power. More than 200 people have died with hundreds still missing.
More than 800 AFGE members who belong to Local 446 live and work in the Asheville area for the Department of Veterans Affairs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, and Job Corps. Many AFGE members lost their homes and family members due to the storm and the uptick in mental health issues.
“Employees evacuated at their discretion because no one thought the impact would be this significant,” said Kara Warlick, Local 446 vice president who has been busy shoveling mud out of members’ houses along with other local officers. Her own home, which sits on top of a hill, was spared with only some roof issues and fallen trees, although she lost power, the internet, and water for six days.
Local 446 President Brandee Morris was not as lucky. She still doesn’t have power or cellphone service at her home. She goes to the VA every day to meet with management and check on members working at other agencies. After the storm, the VA facility was evaluated, and non-essential employees were asked not to come to the office to save resources for essential workers. Their primary concern was the veterans.
“Some of our local staff and many federal employees still can't get out of their homes due to washed out roads, bridges, or trees,” said Morris.
“Numerous staff have lost their homes. They unfortunately thought they did not need or could not afford flood insurance, and they will have to rebuild,” added Warlick. “They are resilient and want to rebuild! I'm sad to state that based on what's being reported, recovery will take months if not years.”
According to the local, employees are approved for 60 days of weather and safety leave on a case-by-case basis. Offices have since reopened albeit not fully. The VA hospital has reopened with limited services. NOAA is up and running, as the staff works remotely. The Blue Ridge Parkway staff are doing cleanup, and Job Corps has reopened.
While the recovery efforts are ongoing, many are still without electricity, water, internet and cell service. Last week at the Asheville Teamsters Hall, the local set up a Wi-Fi station so employees could apply for an AFGE relief grant and federal and FEMA benefits. They also distributed supplies to members and their families.
Spearheading the donation drive, AFGE District 4 and Local 2065, have been delivering most of the donations. Community supporters have been coming to the local dropping off food, cleaning supplies, pet food, hygiene products, winter clothes, blankets, and toys.
Several AFGE members and locals have also got involved, including Local 1770 at Ft. Liberty, Local 3347 in Raleigh, EPA Local 3347, Local 1178, and Jacksonville Chapter for A. Philip Randolph Institute. Domino Pizza also donated 40 pizzas and water for the volunteers working in Marshall, another town severely damaged, about 30 minutes’ drive from Asheville. So far, they have collected almost $4,000.
“I can tell you that I am overwhelmed by our people who are so willing to help our people in the mountains,” said Kelly Keating, president of Council 240 Marine Corps and Local 2065.
Her favorite donation came in from a five-year-old girl who was told by her mom as she was packing up winter clothes that other children lost everything. She went to her room and brought out three teddy bears to donate.
District 4 National Vice President Christine Surrette has been organizing relief efforts with Keating, contacting members and handling delivery logistics. She also was affected by the hurricane.
"I feel blessed that my family and I are safe. This is the most devasting thing that has ever happened to Western North Carolina, and with so many self-employed people out of work for the foreseeable future, this area is going to need help for a long time,” she said. “I haven't had water or power for two weeks, but neither has the rest of the community. But I'm still grateful.”
“I am grateful that I have a place that people like President Keating's, husband, Sean and son, Adam can stay so they can work with people in our community cleaning up. For Raul and Joanne Santiago for driving up supplies and being there to make sure they were delivered to the people who need them. I'm even grateful for the donkey teams heading up the mountains taking supplies to those we can't get to yet,” she added. “It's been hard but having 2065's help and working with EVP Kara Warlick, it makes things a little easier. We'll rebuild. We are Appalachian Strong!"
They expect that members affected by the hurricane are going to need help for months.
“We are in it for the long haul,” Keating added. “We hope we can be there until they are on their feet. We are learning and adjusting along the way to address the needs as this kind of operation is new to us here as well. But a quote from Maya Angelou stands out: ‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.’ That's what we're doing – the best we can.”
For more information about the donation drive, contact AFGE District 4.
AFGE Relief Grant
If you have been affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton and are in need of financial assistance, click here to apply for a $500 grant from the AFGE Disaster Relief Fund.
The AFGE Disaster Relief Fund is operated by the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA), which has helped government workers with disaster relief and scholarship funds since 1986.
You can donate to the AFGE Disaster Relief Fund here.