The residents of Avery and Mitchell counties in North Carolina are facing the upcoming winter without the ability to heat their homes due to the destruction of the area’s only kerosene station by Hurricane Helene. Rhonda Jean Kowald and her nonprofit organization, the Western Carolina Emergency Network, have stepped in to help by delivering heating fuel to local firehouses for distribution to those in need. However, supplies are quickly running out, putting vulnerable residents at risk of a heating crisis.
With over $271,000 in donations, volunteers are working against the clock to supply emergency fuel before the winter weather sets in. The funding has dwindled to $50,000 as of Wednesday, which would only cover about a week and a half of fuel. Despite efforts to raise awareness and secure additional donations, the news cycle has moved on, leaving Kowald and her team struggling to maintain the necessary funds to provide heating assistance to those in need.
According to Paul Buchanan, the emergency management director for Avery County, the Quickmart station serviced by Exxon supplied kerosene to local gas stations as well as provided home delivery. Despite other fuel companies starting to deliver to homes in the area, some spots remain inaccessible due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Senator Ted Alexander emphasized the critical importance of ensuring residents have access to heating fuel during this time, as it is essential for helping people rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the natural disaster.
In response to the fuel crisis, Kowald and her volunteers drove over 4,000 gallons of gasoline to areas across Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. While setting up gas hubs in the region, they learned about the heating fuel crisis in the area and quickly pivoted to establishing hubs for heating fuel at fire departments to ensure equitable distribution. Kowald highlighted the urgency of the situation, especially during the winter months when residents should not be left without proper heating due to the lack of kerosene or generators.
Although gas stations have begun to receive kerosene deliveries, Kowald stressed the ongoing need for their efforts, as they delivered 3,000 gallons of heating fuel in a single week. The demand for assistance continues to grow, with messages pouring in from elderly individuals, those in hospice care or disabled, and those who have lost their means of transportation to access fuel. Kowald remains dedicated to serving these vulnerable populations and ensuring they have the resources needed to stay warm during the winter months.
As the situation in Avery and Mitchell counties in North Carolina remains dire, efforts led by Rhonda Jean Kowald and the Western Carolina Emergency Network exemplify the importance of community support and grassroots initiatives in times of crisis. The collaboration between volunteers, local firehouses, and emergency management officials reflects a unified approach to addressing the immediate needs of residents facing a heating fuel shortage. With the winter season approaching, continued support and resources are crucial in ensuring that all individuals in the affected areas have access to heat and resources to weather the challenges ahead.
