More than a month after Hurricane Helene tore through the Carolinas, many veterans in western North Carolina are still without essential resources and remain cut off due to damaged roads and power outages.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has deployed teams to provide ongoing assistance to these veterans, many of whom are elderly or have medical conditions that require regular care.
The storm, which made landfall on September 26, caused record-breaking rainfall in the Appalachian region, leading to severe flooding, mudslides, and widespread destruction.
The VA quickly responded, organizing outreach teams to reach high-risk veterans across 23 counties. These teams are still actively delivering blankets, clothing, and medical supplies to isolated areas.
Cliff “Sarge” Stewart, a 76-year-old Vietnam veteran, is one of the veterans struggling in the storm’s aftermath. Stewart lives in Swannanoa, a community hit especially hard by flooding.
Although he’s received temporary housing from a local charity, his motorized wheelchair has to be left outside due to limited space. Stewart’s neighborhood remains in disrepair, and many of his neighbors have not returned.
Matthew Bain, a VA nurse, is part of one of the outreach teams. He described how each visit to these communities involves navigating rugged detours and damaged roads. While some initial needs for food and water have decreased, veterans still need medication, warmth, and safety, which the VA continues to provide.
The VA, under the direction of chief nurse Patti Campbell, has been prioritizing veterans who need critical medical support.
In many cases, communication with veterans was initially impossible due to damaged phone lines and roads, so the VA sent teams directly to each location to ensure contact and support.
For some, the help has been essential.
Donald Harris, a veteran in Fairview with multiple sclerosis, had to be airlifted from his mountainside home after a landslide destroyed his driveway. Recently returned to his home, Harris continues to receive care and resources from the VA as his community rebuilds.
The VA outreach teams, despite dealing with their own storm-related challenges, remain committed to helping those in need.
Some staff members have faced their own losses from the storm, yet they continue to assist veterans across the region.
As western North Carolina recovers from Hurricane Helene, VA teams will keep bringing crucial services to veterans who are still waiting for normalcy to return.
For isolated veterans like Stewart and Harris, these visits are more than deliveries—they are a lifeline.