As Hurricane Helene continues its pernicious path through the Southeastern United States, scores of beleaguered music venues and professionals are seeking a lifeline.
Helene has mutated into one of the largest and most harmful storms to develop in the Gulf of Mexico in the last century after making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane September 26th in Florida, according to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
The death toll today climbed over 215, making the storm the deadliest since 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, according to Axios. Emergency shelters are now opening en masse in the aftermath of the historic flooding, which left hundreds of thousands of people without water, power and cell service.
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Helene hit North Carolina especially hard last weekend, causing widespread devastation across coastal and inland communities. Emergency services were reportedly overwhelmed by calls for help as heavy rains triggered flash floods across the region, sweeping away entire homes and venues.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has called the storm “catastrophic” and recently received approval from the federal government to declare a Major Disaster, per a press release issued by his office. The edict allowed the state to secure access to a “significant funding commitment.”
“The people in western North Carolina are hurting from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as fast as we can,” Cooper said. “We have deployed rescue teams, transportation crews, water, mobile kitchens and more. This is going to be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.”
Read on to find out how to support independent music venues and people during the ongoing crisis caused by Helene.
How to support the music community impacted by Hurricane Helene
- The National Independent Venue Foundation Emergency Relief Fund is providing essential financial aid to help keep venues and festivals afloat. The organization is accepting donations here.
- MusiCares, a nonprofit providing health, financial and rehabilitation resources to music industry professionals in times of need, offers an Emergency Financial Assistance Program providing financial grants.
- Salvage Station, a beloved music venue located in Asheville’s historic River Arts District, was completely destroyed. The venue’s owners have launched a campaign to raise funds, which will be “strictly given to our employees to survive during this devastating time.” You can donate here.
- Another popular independent venue in the River Arts District, The Grey Eagle, has cancelled or postponed all of its concerts until the city of Asheville gets running water back. Its owners are accepting in-kind donations to support staff members.
- Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts, an independent venue in Charlotte, is now moonlighting as a drop-off location for essential supplies like batteries, flashlights, water purification tablets, blankets and baby formula. Its owners have ensured they will deliver items to a slew of impacted venues.
- Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts is also hosting a benefit concert on October 11th to help fund the efforts of Beloved Asheville, a local nonprofit providing aid to those in need across western North Carolina. A portion of the night’s sales as well as all donations received at the door will be directed to the organization. You can purchase tickets here.
- Over in Tennessee, Nashville’s The Basement club has organized a benefit concert on October 7th to help raise funds for victims in the eastern part of the state as well as western North Carolina. You can purchase tickets here.
- A group of venues launched the “NC Indie Music Venues United for Western NC” initiative to direct a portion of ticket sales throughout the month of October to relief efforts. They will be splitting the proceeds between the NIVA’s Emergency Relief Fund and NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund, among other organizations.
Editor’s Note: If you have information regarding access to resources for members of the music community affected by Hurricane Helene, please reach out to [email protected].