Water Mission Deploys Clean Water Systems to Devastated North Carolina Communities After Hurricane Helene

Water Mission, a nonprofit organization focused on providing clean water to communities affected by natural disasters, is heading to remote areas of North Carolina this week to aid residents following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The hurricane has caused widespread damage across the state, including the destruction of homes, infrastructure, and essential services like water and power.

Water Mission has been granted permission by North Carolina officials to deploy mobile water treatment systems in the hardest-hit areas to ensure communities have access to safe drinking water.

Brock Kreitzburg, the head of Water Mission’s Disaster Assistance Response Team, spoke to Fox News Digital from Boone, North Carolina, describing the dire situation.

He explained that many areas are completely cut off, with people having to travel up to a day and a half on foot to reach the nearest town for food and water. Many communities are without power, water, and food, and residents are even sharing what little they have with one another in a desperate effort to survive.

Water Mission, a Christian nonprofit that has been involved in disaster relief efforts for over 20 years, has a track record of responding to crises around the world, including in regions like East Africa, Turkey, and Ukraine.

The organization has helped over 8 million people by providing clean drinking water and sanitation services. In North Carolina, Water Mission is partnering with Operation Airdrop, a Texas-based nonprofit that uses aviation resources to deliver aid to disaster-stricken areas.

As of October 1, 2024, Water Mission’s team has deployed six water treatment systems and 175 generators across western North Carolina. The organization uses portable, solar-powered water filtration systems known as “Pelican suitcases,” which can be placed near contaminated water sources, such as rivers.

These systems use reverse osmosis technology to filter out contaminants, providing safe drinking water to affected communities. The equipment has been essential in areas where rivers are polluted with debris and silt, making the water unsafe to drink.

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has been catastrophic, with nearly 160 lives lost and extensive damage throughout the Southeast. The hardest-hit area was the Blue Ridge Mountains, where 57 people were killed, particularly in the city of Asheville.

Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina described the destruction, saying entire communities had been wiped off the map. With the storm claiming so many lives and causing severe infrastructure damage, officials have warned that rebuilding will be a long and challenging process, and assistance from organizations like Water Mission will be vital in helping communities recover.