LONGVIEW, Texas (TXAN 24) — As the devastation from Hurricane Helene continues to unfold, communities across the Smokey Mountains are struggling to recover from the catastrophic flooding and damage caused by the storm. In response, local efforts have been mobilized to bring aid to those in need, and Longview residents are being asked to lend a helping hand.
Operation Smoky Mountain, a grassroots initiative, is calling on East Texans to donate supplies and funds to assist survivors who have been left cut off from basic necessities. Volunteers are preparing to make deliveries to the hardest-hit areas, and a collection drive will take place at Longview Mall on Wednesday, October 2, starting at 8 a.m. until a truck filled with donations is ready to be sent to affected areas.
What’s Needed
Donations of non-perishable food, bottled water, diapers, baby formula, pet food, and other essential emergency items are urgently requested. Organizers are also seeking monetary donations to cover the cost of supplies and fuel for delivering goods. Funds can be sent via Venmo to @Laren84, with all contributions going directly to support relief efforts.
How to Help
If you’re in the Longview area, you can drop off supplies at the Longview Mall parking lot on Wednesday. Volunteers will be on hand to collect items until the truck is filled and ready to head out to the Smokey Mountains, where entire communities remain isolated due to the flooding.
For those who are unable to donate in person, Operation Smoky Mountain is accepting Venmo donations to help cover the costs of supplies and transportation.
A Community in Crisis
Hurricane Helene brought heavy rainfall and winds that triggered massive flooding across the Smokey Mountains, leaving many communities underwater. Images shared by survivors depict the heartbreaking aftermath, with homes and businesses submerged. Entire families are stranded without access to clean water, food, or other essentials. The situation has sparked urgent calls for outside aid, as local resources are stretched thin.
"This is one of the most shocking and devastating storms we've seen in this area," said Jordan Smith, a meteorologist reporting from Chimney Rock, North Carolina. "The destruction is widespread, and people are in desperate need of help."
Longview Steps Up
Operation Smoky Mountain is one of many relief efforts springing up in the wake of the storm. As East Texans prepare to send help, organizers are encouraging the community to come together and show the compassion they’re known for.
For more information on how you can help or to get involved, call 903-475-2260 or visit the donation site at Longview Mall on October 2. Together, we can make a difference for the survivors of Hurricane Helene.
For the latest updates on Hurricane Helene relief efforts and other community news, follow TXAN 24 News, the Heart of Texas.
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