FORT WRIGHT, Ky. — While recovery efforts are just starting for people affected by Hurricane Milton, they’re ongoing for those affected by Helene. That includes a lot of people who aren’t usually affected by hurricanes and need a lot of help.
That help is on the way from one northern Kentucky city in the form of three trucks’ worth of needed supplies.
When Fort Wright city leaders realized the extent of the damage from Hurricane Helene in multiple states, they quickly decided they wanted to help, particularly in areas that aren’t normally impacted by hurricanes.
The North Carolina City and County Management Association helped identify Old Fort, a town about 30 miles east of Asheville with a population of 820. Search and rescue was still ongoing as of last week, and the town is covered in mud.
“They were essentially decimated from Hurricane Helene,” said Fort Wright City Administrator Jill Cain Bailey.
She said the town was also in need of cleaning supplies and food products, so that’s what the city started collecting. City workers have been able to fill three 26-foot trucks and two cruisers, which will be heading down to Old Fort on Friday.
“The roads are damaged. They’re very narrow. It’s a very slow course, so we’re anticipating probably eight or nine hours of driving tomorrow to get these items delivered in a window between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.,” Bailey said. “We’re very proud to be part of this effort. There’s a sense of accomplishment with providing these resources to these individuals. They’re just like us. They’re in horrible conditions and horrible situations. And it’s not about: did it happen in our state or in our region? We think as a country, everyone needs to pull together and help.”
Filling everything up wasn’t possible without business partners, and residents like Tricia Lenhof stepping up.
“I’ve seen all the footage on the news, and you just feel pulled to help anyway you can, and so we gathered some things. My daughter-in-law gathered some things, and wanted to drop it off,” Lenhof said.
Bailey said she’s been moved by what she’s seen from people who just want to help, and she’s a firm believer in what goes around comes around.
“Hopefully we never need the assistance, but we would like to know that there are other agencies coming to help us in the event of a catastrophe,” she said.
People in Old Fort will be recovering for a long time, but that journey will hopefully be made a little easier thanks to people in Fort Wright.
First Responders are planning to deliver all donated items this weekend. They will deliver items collected directly to a warehouse located in McDowell County for immediate distribution to those in need.
Bailey said the city is planning to do another drive for people impacted by Hurricane Milton. If people want to help with that, they can reach out to the city of Fort Wright, or email Bailey.