Hurricane Helene cut a path of immeasurable destruction—500 miles wide, more than the distance between Boston and Washington, D.C.—from the Great Bend region of Florida, through Georgia, into the Carolinas, eastern Tennessee, Virginia and beyond.
While we are still trying to grasp the tragic human toll and total scope of damage, it’s fair to assume that we’ve never experienced a storm quite like this one.
That’s certainly true in the context of the fishing community.
Usually, you say “hurricane” and you think of the coastal impacts. But this one affected everyone… the saltwater community along the Gulf of Mexico… the bass fishing communities in the Southeast… and even some of the best trout fishing towns and rivers in southern Appalachia.
The trout world, impacted by a hurricane? This may be the new, deeply disturbing, climate change-influenced reality we live in.
The waters and the fish themselves have an uncanny ability to respond and recover to natural disasters. What we must focus on now are the people and the communities who are devastated. Locate the missing, and meet the immediate needs of survivors—food, clean water, shelter, clothing, etc.
“The level of destruction is unimaginable,” said Kim Ranella, owner of Miss Mayfly, a maker of fly-fishing waders, apparel and accessories for women anglers, which is based in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. “It’s going to take years to recover from this, and we still don’t know the status of some guides and businesses up in the areas that were most impacted.”
As the region begins to recover, TU plans to be involved every step of the way.
“I know the people of the southern Appalachians to be resilient,” said Beverly Smith, TU’s vice president of volunteer operations in a message to grassroots TU leaders in the affected area. “This region has always shown a deep strength in the face of hardship, and I have no doubt that the TU spirit of ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ will shine through. Many TU chapters have been living our community-focused mission for 50 years or more, and I’m humbled to witness how you show up for each other and your communities time and again.”
Those of you from other parts of the country who want to offer immediate help can do so.
- One SC Hurricane Helene Relief Fund
- North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund
- The Community Foundation of Western NC Emergency and Disaster Relief Fund
- East Tennessee Foundation Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund
- United Way of East TN Highlands
- Virginia Disaster Relief Fund
The American Fly Fishing Trade Association has also answered the call by compiling a list of resources to help meet pressing needs:
National Services
Florida Resources
Business Damage Assessment Survey Florida
Resources Regarding Unemployment Assistance Florida
Georgia Resources
Georgia State Parks – Can help take pets or livestock
GEMA- Disaster Related Assistance
North Carolina Resources
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
UWHelpsNC Helene Recovery Fund*
Tennessee Resources
Also from AFFTA:
The Road to Recovery
The recovery for these communities will take years, long after the initial relief efforts have ended. As we shift from addressing urgent needs to long-term rebuilding, consider supporting local fly shops, and guides by purchasing gift cards or certificates. These small businesses desperately need the revenue as they work to get back on their feet. If you had a scheduled trip or outing with a local guide, try to reschedule rather than cancel and request a refund. Your spending in these communities can make a significant impact in helping them rebuild and recover.
As we look ahead, it’s crucial to continue supporting these communities to ensure that those affected have the resources they need to rebuild their lives. With that in mind, AFFTA will continue to provide ongoing updates and information in the months ahead.
While the road ahead will be long and challenging, the outpouring of support in the wake of Helene has been inspiring. From neighbors helping neighbors to volunteers from across the country arriving to lend a hand, it’s clear that the spirit of community and resilience is stronger than any storm.
Need Support? We’re Here to Help.
Lucas Bissett – Executive Director lucas.bissett@affta.org
Chelsea Parker – Finance/Membership Directorchelsea.parker@affta.org
From Captains for Clean Water:
Hurricane Helene Relief Resources
Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented, widespread devastation throughout the southeast, and many communities along the storm’s path are in need of help.
From southwest Florida to the Tampa area to the Big Bend region, the damage to Florida’s Gulf Coast was unfathomable.
But the storm’s impact extended well beyond Florida, creating catastrophic conditions in Georgia, Western North Carolina, and beyond. Now, many communities are in need of support in one form or another.
Here’s a list of resources for anyone looking to get involved, whether you’d like to volunteer your time, donate to a relief effort, or you personally need assistance of some kind.
Coming Soon: Our friend and partner, Captains Collective, is also working on a guide-specific relief effort to support fishing guides that have been significantly affected by the storm. Stay tuned for updates, and we’ll let you know as soon as that opportunity is available in the coming days.
**TROUT Weekly will keep readers updated on ongoing relief efforts as they develop.