Hurricane Helene Aftermath: Asheville Community Unites for Recovery
Asheville, N.C. has been through quite the storm lately. With the impacts of Hurricane Helene still making waves, the community is coming together to navigate through the challenges that have arisen. Between flooded streets and infrastructure issues, one thing remains clear: it’s the strong spirit of Asheville that continues to shine.
Mission Health Hospitals Open and Caring
On October 5, a spokesperson for Mission Health Hospital provided a reassuring update regarding the hospital’s operations post-storm. Nancy Lindell, the director of public and media relations for the HCA Healthcare North Carolina Division, shared the heartening news that Mission Health hospitals have remained open and ready to care for their patients throughout the storm. She highlighted the “tremendous efforts of our colleagues and physicians” in making this possible.
With the storm behind them, Mission Health is actively working toward recovery. They have deployed additional support from across the country, with approximately 400 nurses from states such as Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Kansas, Utah, and California lending a helping hand. It’s truly a team effort, as over 40 physicians from HCA Healthcare hospitals in other regions are also engaging in relief efforts for the local community. To put this into perspective, the hospital has cared for more than 1,800 patients and delivered over 50 babies since Hurricane Helene hit.
Storm-Related Casualties and Relief Efforts
While the community band together, they are also coping with the sad reality of storm-related casualties. Reports indicate that there have been 70 verified storm-related deaths in North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene. In light of this, Mission Health is ensuring they have the necessary resources to treat all patients, including trauma cases, that arrive at the hospital.
To address the needs of their staff, the HCA Healthcare division has provided nearly $600,000 in emergency financial assistance to over 550 of their colleagues who have been affected by the storm. This money comes from the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund, which is an employee-run charity designed to help employees after they face a disaster or extended illness.
Community Contributions for Recovery
The organization has pledged $1 million toward disaster relief efforts. This includes allocating $250,000 to the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County and an additional $250,000 to the American Red Cross of North Carolina. They are also providing an additional $500,000 to various community partners who are directly involved in hurricane relief efforts. Lindell stated, “This is a difficult time, and we are doing all we can to help and relieve those in need.”
Community support is crucial during these times, and the hospital has implemented several ways to ensure staff well-being. They’ve placed “mini marts” inside Mission Health hospitals that offer free groceries, water, and toiletries for their colleagues. Given the ongoing water issues in Asheville, it’s a smart solution that helps everyone in the hospital remain focused on patient care.
Continued Care Amid Water Crisis
Lindell shared plans for maintaining water supplies as they explore alternative solutions, such as drilling more wells to ensure they can keep their systems, like HVAC units, running smoothly. “Preserving as much potable water as possible for general hospital use is important,” she emphasized.
Despite the uncertain times, Mission Health’s commitment continues. The organization has contingency plans in place and remains focused on evaluating how to best care for both patients and colleagues alike. The resilience shown by the community, the healthcare workers, and local organizations illustrates the powerful bonds that hold Asheville together during such challenging moments.
The return to normalcy may be a journey, but with unity, support, and unwavering dedication, Asheville stands strong as it rebuilds and recovers from the challenges brought by Hurricane Helene.
