Here’s a locality-by-locality list of where to find help or how to help in the aftermath of the weekend’s flooding. We’ll be updating this list as we get more information, so please send details and updates to news@cardinalnews.org.
General information on how to help
Need help? Or want to help? United Way of Southwest Virginia has created the 2024 SWVA Regional Disaster Relief Fund to assist those impacted by the flooding. All 2024 SWVA Regional Disaster Relief Fund donations will go directly to support those impacted by the September 2024 flood. Donate or seek help here.
How to help in the New River Valley: Virginia Tech has published this list of resources.
The Creeper Trail: You can contribute to the fund for the building of the Virginia Creeper Trail through the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy. Go to the vacreepertrail.org website to contribute.
Virginia community colleges are organizing donations: The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE) is seeking resources to help. The Emergency Fund for Community Colleges of Southwest Virginia will collect donations and then distribute them to the five colleges in Southwest Virginia, who have on-the-ground knowledge of local needs.
An early assessment from those colleges identifies an urgent need for funds for food, gas, temporary housing, and replacement of damaged instructional materials like textbooks and laptops. You can find out more here.
General information on where to find help
The national Disaster Distress Helpline is a free service that’s available to anyone who is struggling with stress or anxiety. Trained counselors can provide information on how to recognize distress, offer coping tips and help callers connect with local resources. Callers do not have to provide any identifying information.
- Call 800-985-5990
- Text “talkwithus” to 66746
- Visit Samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
If your EBT card was lost or damaged, call the toll-free EBT customer service help desk at 866-281-2448. If your power has been out for longer than eight hours and SNAP-purchased food spoiled, contact your local Department of Social Services office for additional benefits.
The LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts are offering free tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccines to those who affected by the flooding, are responding to emergency situations or are helping with the recovery.
You may need a booster shot if it has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus vaccination, you have a puncture wound and it has been more than five years since your last tetanus vaccination, or you have a wound that has come in contact with flood water and it has been more than five years since your last tetanus vaccination.
If you’re not sure if you need a tetanus vaccine, contact your primary care provider or your local health department. For more information on immunization, visit: www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/.
The Virginia Department of Health is offering free test kits for residents who have residential private drinking water wells impacted by the recent flooding. Any well submerged during the flooding is likely to be contaminated, even if there is no apparent damage.
The free kits are available to residents in the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe, and the city of Radford. To qualify for testing, the well must first be disinfected and flushed. VDH recommends having a well driller assist with this process. For those choosing to disinfect the well themselves, all safety precautions and instructions should be followed using these instructions.
Once well users disinfect and flush their well, they can request a free test kit by calling the VDH Call Center at 877-829-4682, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by completing the online survey.
Giles County
AID AVAILABLE
Giles County has set up this website with an extensive list of flood-relief resources for residents. If you know of something that should be included, email Cora Gnegy with Giles County.
Those needing immediate attention should calll Giles County Dispatch at 540-921-3842.
DONATIONS COLLECTED / VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer signup form: https://virginiasmtnplayground.com/ Giles advises: “Please direct all contacts wishing to volunteer to use the form on our homepage. This will help streamline efforts and the communications as we support our community with the cleanup efforts. After completing the form, a Giles County Coordinator will communicate with you on additional details such as location and project.”
Giles also advises volunteers: “If you are coming to help, please wear closed-toe shoes, probably long pants, wear gloves and other protective gear. Sharp objects, things hidden from view, and heavy items will likely be encountered.”
Giles County Disaster Relief Fund: https://virginiasmtnplayground.com/ People are able to make contributions to the “Giles County Disaster Relief Fund” at any NBB location or online
Pulaski County
DONATIONS COLLECTED
United Way of Southwest Virginia is handling donations.
the Pulaski County Public Service Authority at 540-674-8720 or visit www.pulaskicounty.org.
Radford
DONATIONS COLLECTED
Clothing Bank of Radford needs bed sheets and blankets, along with new undergarments, socks and shoes. 2000 West St., Radford.
Smyth County
AID AVAILABLE
Farmers who have experienced losses, including hay, fences, barns or animals, message Virginia Cooperative Extension: Smyth County on Facebook and include your name, address, description of loss, approximate value and whether you had insurance.
Tazewell County
The Tazewell County Health Department is accepting food donations.
Washington County/Bristol
Washington County is directing all volunteers to a new volunteer coordinator, Tony Miller, who is working with United Way of Southwest Virginia to help organize volunteers to maximize effectiveness in the Damascus, Taylor’s Valley and Green Cove Areas. To help with the cleanup, contact Miller at tmiller@washcova.com or 276-492-9220. One of the greatest needs is to build a list of all interested licensed contractors to help with the recovery effort.
DONATIONS COLLECTED
How to donate to Washington County relief fund: First Bank and Trust Co. has established two accounts dedicated to collecting funds from the public: one for relief efforts in Washington County, which will be made payable to the county’s Disaster Relief Fund, and one to aid Northeast Tennessee, which will be made payable to United Way of East Tennessee Highlands Disaster Relief Fund. All of the donations collected will go to disaster relief funds, the bank says. Individuals who wish to donate can specify which fund they want to contribute to. Donations can be made in the drive-through or inside any First Bank and Trust location in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. First Bank and Trust will issue checks to both relief funds every Friday for as long as donations are received. First Bank and Trust has also pledged $100,000 in donations to the affected areas of western North Carolina, Southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee.
Bristol: The Birthplace of Country Music Museum will serve as a drop-off site for hurricane relief donations. Drop-off is Tuesday through Sunday during regular business hours. Needed items include water, tarps, nonperishable food, batteries, first aid kits, diapers, toiletries, new bath towels, new bedding and blankets, box fans, trash bags, face masks, paper products, baby diapers and formula, and pet supplies.
Damascus: A donation and volunteer coordination center has been established across from Food City near 744 N. Beaver Dam Avenue, Damascus. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Current needs include towels, sheets, bug spray, baby formula and small propane tanks. Clothes to be taken to Faith In Action. Please be aware that town access will be restricted to town residents and volunteers providing immediate assistance.
Glade Spring: Project YES is coordinating fundraising and volunteer efforts to help area small businesses. Project YES is setting up a fund to help small businesses cover expenses related to losses as a result of the storm. For now, checks can be sent to Project YES at P.O. Box 467, Glade Spring, VA 24340 or brought in person to Town Square Center for Advancement, 137 Town Square Street, or to Glade Spring Town Hall, 113 E. Glade St.
Taylors Valley: Anyone interested in donating to the Taylors Valley Community Relief Fund may do so by mailing a check to PO Box 1044, Glade Spring, VA 24340.
Wythe County
AID AVAILABLE:
Wythe County has created a needs assessment form for residents who still have unmet recovery needs as they wait for the next steps from FEMA Link
Wythe County is updating a general resources here.
VOLUNTEERING
Wythe County has created a volunteer inquiry survey for groups, teams, churches, or other organizations who may be able to provide manpower to residents who need additional assistance cleaning up. Link
