How to support the music community affected by catastrophic Hurricane Helene

As Hurricane Helene continues its pernicious path across the southeastern United States, dozens of beleaguered music venues and professionals are searching for a lifeline.

Helene has become one of the largest and most damaging storms to develop in the Gulf of Mexico in the last century after making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on September 26 in Florida, according to the US Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA.

The death toll today surpassed 215, making the storm the deadliest since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to axios. Emergency shelters are now opening en masse following the historic flood, which left hundreds of thousands of people without water, electricity or cell service.

Helene hit North Carolina especially hard last weekend, causing widespread devastation in coastal and inland communities. Emergency services were reportedly overwhelmed by calls for help as heavy rain caused flash flooding across the region, washing away homes and entire places.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called the storm “catastrophic” and recently received approval from the federal government to declare it a major disaster, according to a Press release issued by your office. The edict allowed the State to secure access to an “important financing commitment.”

“The people of Western North Carolina are suffering from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as quickly as possible,” Cooper said. “We have deployed rescue teams, transportation teams, water, mobile kitchens and more. This will be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.”

Read on to find out how to support independent music venues and individuals during the current crisis caused by Helene.

How to support the music community affected by Hurricane Helene

• The National Independent Venues Foundation's Emergency Relief Fund is providing essential financial assistance to help keep venues and festivals afloat. The organization accepts donations. here.

• MusiCares, a nonprofit organization that provides health, financial and rehabilitative resources to music industry professionals in times of need, offers a Emergency Financial Assistance Program providing financial grants.

• Salvage Station, a beloved music venue located in Asheville's historic River Arts District, was completely destroyed. The owners of the venue have launched a campaign to raise funds, which will be “strictly given to our employees to survive during this devastating time.” you can donate here.

• Another popular independent venue in the River Arts District, The Gray Eagle, has canceled or postponed all of its concerts until the city of Asheville gets its running water back. Its owners are accept donations in kind to support staff members.

• A special benefit concert will take place on October 26 at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium featuring Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings and James Taylor. 100% of the proceeds from “A Concert for Carolina” will benefit ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, according to Explore Asheville, who pledged $1 million as a presenting sponsor. Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 10 at 10 a.m. here.

• Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts, an independent location in Charlotte, is now serving as a drop-off location for essential supplies like batteries, flashlights, water purification tablets, blankets and baby formula. Its owners have made sure to deliver items to a large number of affected places.

• Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts will also host a benefit concert on October 11 to help fund the efforts of Beloved Asheville, a local nonprofit that provides aid to those in need throughout Western North Carolina. A portion of the evening's sales, as well as all donations received at the door, will go to the organization. You can buy tickets here.

• In Tennessee, Nashville club The Basement hosted a benefit concert on Oct. 7 to help raise funds for victims in the eastern part of the state and western North Carolina. You can buy tickets here.

• A group of locals launched the “North Carolina Independent Music Venues United by Western North Carolina“Initiative to direct a portion of ticket sales during the month of October to relief efforts. They will split proceeds between the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund and the NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund, among other organizations.

Editor's Note: If you have information about accessing resources for members of the music community affected by Hurricane Helene, please contact editorial@edm.com.

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