Hurricane Helene Rebuilding Update
For three generations, Ms. Pat’s family has lived in a modest home in the mountains of eastern Tennessee. It was the neighborhood store when her grandfather bought it and then converted it into the family home. In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene struck, and Ms. Pat’s home was one of the thousands that were badly damaged.
Six inches of water flooded her home after rainfall gushed down the hillsides. “We had no electricity or communication, and you couldn’t even get out because the power lines were down in my driveway, and I had a terrible, terrible problem with mold,” she explains.
With no power and her floor flood-damaged, Ms. Pat had to cook outside. “I had a small charcoal grill,” she says. “I started cooking whatever I had. When neighbors stopped by, I gave them whatever I had.” A few months after the storm, IOCC volunteers stopped by and offered their help to put a new floor in.
“The next thing I know,” says Ms. Pat, “flooring turned into helping me do more demo (demolition) work that I needed, helping me with plumbing issues to everything in the kitchen and dining room, and insulation.” IOCC also put her in touch with mold removal specialists, and a qualified volunteer rewired much of the house.
Ms. Pat is one of many people impacted by Hurricane Helene who have received help from IOCC volunteers this year. In 2025 alone, more than 275 generous individuals have volunteered to be part of an IOCC Action Team. These teams have made repairs to 42 homes across eastern Tennessee and southwest Florida, helping communities in need get back on track.
Ms. Pat is deeply grateful for the help she has received from IOCC and passes on the kindness by offering help in her own community. She takes elderly neighbors to the doctors, as well as helping these same neighbors with their lawnmowing and weeding.
“I don’t even know that there is a word for what IOCC gave to me,” says Ms. Pat. “It’s a miracle to me to have so many wonderful people and organizations out there doing all of this for so many people.”
If you are interested in volunteering to be a part of an IOCC Action Team, please visit iocc.org/actionteams to learn more.
