In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a team of veterans led by Tim Kennedy are spearheading rescue efforts.
When the Category 4 hurricane made landfall in Florida on September 26, 2024, it ripped through six states leaving an 800-mile path of destruction in its wake. The record-breaking storm left more than 100 dead and hundreds more missing as 140 mph winds wreaked havoc on the Southeast, leaving North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama to declare states of emergency as floods swept away homes, businesses and roadways.
Some of the hardest hit areas include western North Carolina, where isolated mountain communities have had to rely on mule-led caravans and helicopters for rescue and aid due to lack of accessibility. But one Southern nonprofit – led by U.S. Army Green Beret Tim Kennedy and a team of special operations veterans – knew they couldn’t just sit back and watch disaster unfold in their backyard.
“Whole towns have been swept away, and the scale of destruction in the western region is beyond comprehension,” Save Our Allies co-founder Sarah Verardo told We Are The Mighty. “Many residents remain without communication or access to safety.”
Save Our Allies, a North Carolina-based 501(c)(3), was founded to aid Americans and Allies during the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, so when reports of Hurricane Helene’s destruction began surfacing, the team pulled together as quickly as possible to begin rescue missions as they watched the death toll climb.
“The global rescue missions Save Our Allies has executed overseas in war zones look almost no different than the situation in Western North Carolina,” Tim Kennedy told We Are The Mighty. “There are hundreds if not thousands of people in isolated areas that need our help. That’s the core foundation of SOA’s mission.”
In the past five days, the organization has been deploying teams on the ground and delivering essential supplies to those in need, using a document on their website to guide relief requests. They have performed dozens of airlifts per day alongside their ground partners and are also working with The Independence Fund and other partner organizations to gather and distribute supplies. A representative for SOA told We Are The Mighty that trailers are being filled daily with generous donations for western North Carolina.
“When disaster strikes, globally or in our backyard, it’s not enough to just show up — Save Our Allies goes the last mile to ensure that help reaches those who need it most,” Verardo said. “Our team was on the ground immediately, navigating tough terrain and isolated communities to deliver critical relief. This is what we do—adapt, overcome, and remain agile.”
Those seeking to help from afar can visit the Save Our Allies Amazon Wish List or donate financially directly on the organization’s website.