The Animals of Hurricane Helene
Screenshot from video of Halie Higgins via Facebook.
Halie Higgins’ video of her mare, Bianca, caught in the water when the dam broke in Erwin, Tennessee, and her heartfelt pleas for help went viral last week.
The devastating power of Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Helene caused freak events like the dam break, which could not be predicted. However, Halie’s updates and search for Bianca, who was still not home safe as of the time of this article, also spurred her into action for her community.
The power of social media was evident as while Halie and her family still searched for Bianca, Halie began to share what her community needed while everyone watched her pages for updates.
See a portion of Halie’s words below, in addition to the community resources for donations:
Friday, September 27th:
They couldn’t get to her- when the dam broke the water rose too fast. Erwin people PLEASE PLEASE keep an eye out for her if she ends up downstream. It’s just a waiting game. She’s 16h black with a white star- thin forelock. No socks. Please share so we can keep an eye out for her.
She will have started at Unicoi Hospital- water running towards downtown Erwin direction.
Halie and Bianca
Saturday, September 28th:
A lot of people have been asking about an update on our girl Bianca. She was last seen around noon today standing beside the Radio building beside the Unicoi County hospital. The building she was standing beside in that last video went completely underwater a little bit after everyone had to evacuate. We are all just praying she turns up downstream somewhere.
I can’t thank you all enough for your prayers, support, and offers supply a trailer, a stall, and to help search for her. You all are so amazing. Please keep an eye out for her friends. We are all just in absolute shock at this freak event. My family did everything they could to get her out. She is loved SO VERY dearly and we want to see her come home
The devastation of just one town impacted by Hurricane Helen- Erwin, Tennessee – photo by Buddy Perea, shared by Halie
Sunday, September 29th:
Ok friends you all have been so so kind in reaching out and seeing what you can do to help offering horse trailers etc. in search of Bianca or just helping out the clean up/ rescue efforts-
THAT BEING SAID there are folks in desperate need in our community. Is there anyway we can get some volunteers to offer a few horse trailers and volunteers to get them loaded up with supplies and brought to a central area so people can take it up to out to remote areas and disperse as needed. We still have SO many people unaccounted for without power and water. Supplies in helping move the road accessibility process forward would be amazing. NOTE we might have to wait a few days to get stuff actually dropped off because of road closures and areas limiting access though while the search and rescue efforts are still actively going on. Also drop off points seem to be ever changing so just try and keep up with what is the latest.
This going to be a long term effort over the next few weeks so if anyone can contribute or get together any people who are willing to help out I’m sure people would really appreciate it.
Seems like what I am hearing is people are in need of:
– Chainsaws
– Shovels
– Tarps
– Fencing Materials
– Bottled water
– Potentially livestock feed/ hay for all areas
– 5 gallon Buckets
– Gasoline
– Propane
– Fire starter
– oil gas mix
– hay
– chicken feed
– horse feed
– bungees
– Diapers
– baby food
– Dried/ canned food
– Towels
– Toiletries
– Baby wipes
– batteries,
– flashlights,
– lanterns,
– crackers,
– pet food,
– and toilet paper.
BUT THIS IS NOT AN ALL INCLUSIVE LIST so if you all think of anything useful, please continue suggesting.
I am hearing that this number is good for people to call if they are offering help within the town (423-560-0269) TO AVOID ADDING TO CHAOS please refer to Jim Erwin’s page (The Erwin Record) for specifics on bringing supplies etc so that we can streamline the process.
Mitchell County NC is also apparently in REALLY bad shape and have lots of stranded people up that way too and it isn’t getting much publicity so please reach out to them as well.
Folks have asked where they can donate money- I have attached a link below. Thank you so so much friends.
Thank you to Halie for allowing us to share her words and insights, and we are all still praying for the return of her sweet mare.
If you are still searching for more widespread resources to donate to:
Image: Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States is in action in the Southeast, supporting animals. Here’s how your donation will help:
Emergency preparation and response-related activities that donations support include:
- Rescuing, caring for and providing temporary shelter to animals in need.
- Renting and outfitting temporary animal-sheltering facilities.
- Purchasing, renting and outfitting rescue vehicles, including trucks and boats.
- Providing long-term care for rescued animals and transporting them to placement partners.
- Helping lost and displaced animals reunite with their families.
- Hiring emergency response staff and training staff and volunteer responders.
- Helping shelters and other animal protection facilities impacted by disasters and other emergencies.
- Educating the public about the importance of taking pets with them during disaster evacuations and planning for those evacuations.
- Assisting private humane organizations and federal, state and local officials in preparing for and responding to disasters and other emergencies that affect companion animals, farm animals and wildlife.
- Increasing the infrastructure and capacity of the HSUS’s emergency response efforts through fundraising, education and awareness raising.
https://secured.humanesociety.org/page/82188/donate/1
Image credit: AAEP
WNC Regional Livestock Center
- Based in Canton, the livestock center is working to help farmers and animals who were affected by flooding. You can donate toward helping local farmers who need to buy feed for animals. The center also helps supply fencing and other essentials.
- Contact: Yvonne Coburn with Civilian Disaster Response at 828-216-4496.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
For those wanting to donate to relief funds via check, please mail to:
Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation
Hurricane Helene Relief
P.O. Box 421929
Kissimmee, FL 34742-199
Georgia : To support Georgia cattle producers, donations can be sent via mail to:
Georgia Cattlemen’s Association
100 Cattlemen’s Dr.
Macon, GA 31220
Contact Georgia Cattlemen’s Association at (478)-474-6560 or gca@gabeef.org.
As more information becomes available, please visit their website for more resources and ways to assist at ncba.org/producers/disaster-relief-resources.
Government resources for agricultural producers:
