AmeriCorps Supports Disaster Recovery in North Carolina, Continues to Support States Impacted by Hurricane Helene

AmeriCorps CEO visits North Carolina to recognize AmeriCorps members’ critical role in disaster recovery efforts

Raleigh, N.C. — AmeriCorps CEO, Michael D. Smith, visited AmeriCorps NCCC and AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps teams in North Carolina this week, commending their dedication and critical contributions to disaster recovery in the state. The teams are currently working on the ground to support communities impacted by recent hurricanes and severe storms, helping with debris removal and rebuilding efforts, coordinating logistics and providing essential services to displaced families.

During the visit, Smith met with AmeriCorps members to learn firsthand about their roles and experiences in disaster recovery efforts. He visited with Conservation Corps North Carolina, a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina to improve habitats, maintain trails and focus on ecological restoration. In times where disaster response is needed, AmeriCorps members are deployed in their community and across the country to support recovery efforts. 

CEO Smith also visited an AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps team in Raleigh. These AmeriCorps members serve as force multipliers, embedded with FEMA’s logistical coordination response at the Interim Operations Facility. They provide critical support to the FEMA professionals deployed to the state who help coordinate resource distribution and joint field operations. 

 “We see from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene throughout North Carolina and across the eastern US how vital it is that we have trained, compassionate, service-minded members and volunteers ready to mobilize when our nation needs these skills the most,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. “The AmeriCorps NCCC and AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps teams I met with exemplify the courage and devotion of their peers across the country who help families recover and rebuild in the wake of devastation and in the weeks, months and years to come.”

“Conservation Corps NC is committed to developing the next generation of conservation leaders for North Carolina, and our partnership with AmeriCorps is critical to that mission,” said Jessie Birckhead, Executive Director of Conservation Corps North Carolina. “Each year over 85 AmeriCorps members serve with CCNC helping protect and conserve our state’s incredible natural resources. We are committed to helping our community recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. In the coming weeks and months, our staff and members will support recovery efforts and help impacted communities begin to rebuild.”

North Carolina is one of several states where AmeriCorps members are mobilized to support recovery operations. AmeriCorps has teams on the ground in six impacted states and the District of Columbia. More than 220 AmeriCorps members serving with AmeriCorps NCCC and AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps have deployed to serve with a variety of partners to support recovery operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Washington, DC.

In North Carolina, there are more than 85 AmeriCorps members serving in emergency shelters, providing disaster survivor assistance, coordinating donations management, and assisting with cleanups. Members are serving in Whiteville, Raleigh, Clyde and Hudson, Burnsville, Hendersonville and Hickory. They are supporting the operations of groups like the Catholic Charities Diocese of Raleigh, the American Red Cross and FEMA.

In Virginia, over 30 AmeriCorps members are assisting with recovery operations including mucking and gutting, debris removal and other disaster response services, alongside the US Forest Service, Pulaski County Emergency Management Agency, and FEMA. They are placed in Hot Springs, Dublin and Bristol. 

In South Carolina, 15 AmeriCorps members are assisting with recovery operations including donations management and other disaster response services in Edgefield County and Greenville. They are serving alongside the American Red Cross and at the Francis Marion Sumpter National Forest in the Long Can Ranger District. 

In Florida, AmeriCorps members are assisting with cleanup in Madison, mucking and gutting with Starfish Disaster Recovery, and Tallahassee, alongside FEMA. Seven teams who were supporting efforts in the Gainesville and Lakeview have been temporarily evacuated due to Hurricane Milton and will return to assist with recovery when able.

In Grapevine, Texas, one AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps team is supporting the Personnel Mobilization Center.

In Augusta, Ga., one team of seven AmeriCorps members serving with FEMA Corps are supporting the FEMA response.

In Washington, DC, a team of six AmeriCorps members serving with FEMA Corps are supporting operations at FEMA headquarters, taking crisis calls.

From forest fires and floods to hurricanes and tornadoes to oil spills, AmeriCorps members have provided critical support to millions of Americans affected by disasters since 1994.

In March, AmeriCorps NCCC and VolunteerNC, the State Service Commission for North Carolina, signed a disaster relief and recovery memorandum of understanding to build North Carolina’s ability to engage AmeriCorps NCCC as an integral part of the state’s recovery and relief efforts in times of disaster.

Following a disaster, national service acts as a force multiplier, providing key resources and significantly expanding the capacity of existing organizations on the ground. AmeriCorps programs like AmeriCorps NCCC are often involved in disaster recovery for months to years after the initial disaster. 

AmeriCorps urges anyone who wants to get involved to seek volunteer opportunities following the disaster. For those interested in national service opportunities in emergency management, visit AmeriCorps.Gov/Serve. To learn more about AmeriCorps disaster response, visit AmeriCorps.Gov/DisasterServices.