Hurricane Helene Information

Thank you for your thoughtful interest, thoughts, and prayers for Boone, Watauga County, the entire High Country. These have been some of the most challenging hours our community has faced in quite some time. The silver lining is that our community responds when the need is greatest, and the neighborly check-ins, sharing of information, and general care that has been shown is keeping us going!

Our community is usually the first to welcome others. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO VISIT. All municipalities in our area remain under a State of Emergency. Many roads remain impassable and will be for several days. Watauga County and the Town of Boone have enacted curfew from 7PM-7AM until further notice.  As tempting as it is to check on the place you love, please give us time to tend to the immediacy of our needs. We will eagerly share the news when it’s safe to resume our normal operations.

Over 70% of the County still does not have power and many customers are without internet and data. The Town of Boone is also working to restore full water service to the community, so restaurants are encouraged to be open only if it is safe to do so. Many local businesses are dealing with cleaning up their storefronts and assisting neighbors. Again, until water service is fully restored, our business community will not be able to perform in a manner in which many of you are accustomed. Also, road conditions are making it hard for staff to move about the community.

These conditions will improve with time and the Boone Area Chamber is in position to communicate as much as we can about current operations of businesses throughout our community.

Many people are seeking food and shelter throughout the community. We are working with Watauga County Emergency Management to pass along key operations details for those that are responding to the variety of needs. If your restaurant is open, and available for business, please email us at info@boonechamber.com, and we will pass that along. The American Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter at the Holmes Convocation Center for any campus or community members that are in need.

We have received an abundance of requests about local fundraising efforts.

• Mountaineers are hurting from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Students, faculty and staff are experiencing significant hardships. While the full impacts are still unknown, we know of many who need help, and many who have offered to support them. If you would like to help, please use this link, and thank you for supporting our Mountaineers in need: https://www.appstate.edu/
• The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) Foundation is accepting donations to help with community and business relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the High Country. Gifts can be made at this link and the Chamber will distribute funds locally to businesses and community efforts as needs are further assessed throughout Watauga County over the days and weeks ahead: https://www.boonechamber.com/foundation

Donate to BACC Foundation Here

People have asked about sending supplies. Right now, bottled water is being replenished by the State of North Carolina and its emergency resources. We have a limited capacity to store water at this time as well, as many facilities are cut off by unsafe roadways. In the meantime, we can use donations of cleaning kits (five-gallon buckets, new mops, fresh cleaning supplies, paper towels, and toilet paper) for use by families and businesses to begin to clean out flooded areas. Please stay tuned for information on a dropoff location for these supplies.

Stay tuned to our social media channels for further updates. Please let us know if you have any questions.

David Jackson, President/CEO

Announcements - Saturday, September 28, 6:16 PM