When Hurricane Helene made landfall last month, it caused immense destruction to the Southeastern United States, particularly North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. At the time of publication, there are at least 227 deaths and hundreds unaccounted for. AccuWeather estimated the total damage could reach $250 billion.
North Carolina-based herbal supplement manufacturer Gaia Herbs’ farm in Brevard and distribution-production facility in Mills River suffered minimal damage. In a statement, the company said its 252 employees and their families are safe and it is working to provide them with necessary supplies. Gaia told customers to expect delays in shipments while it works to resume normal business operations.
“I am pleased to inform you that our farm seems to be in good shape. Our seasonal farm workers live on site and were only minimally impacted and are already in clean-up mode,” said Gaia Herbs CEO Kyle Bliffert. “We have a small creek that runs through the property named Cathey’s Creek, which overflowed, causing some erosion and flood damage, but nothing beyond repair. We had harvested the majority of our herbs prior to this event so our loss due to the storm was minimal.”
In a Facebook post, Daily Manufacturing Inc. (Rockwell, NC) said it appreciated the concern and support from those who contacted the company during “a time of turmoil and heartbreak.” The company was not in the path of destruction, but lamented “our neighbors in the mountains are devastated and in need.”
“We also ask that you join us in our fervent prayers that the victims will receive comfort from their grief and loss and safe deliverance from surrounding dangers; that the relief workers will be provided a path for supplies and aid to be rendered, and that the communities will be equipped to recover and rebuild in time,” the company wrote.
From Oct. 2-9, Appalachian Botanical Co., located in Foster, WV, will donate 20 percent of retail sales to the Appalachian Hurricane Helene Relief Fund.
“We feel lucky to have avoided significant hurricane damage, and we’re glad to support our fellow Appalachians who weren’t so fortunate,” said Jocelyn Sheppard, founder and president of Appalachian Botanical Co.
Brian Mosser, general manager of Get Healthy, located in Brooksville and Spring Hill, FL, said he and the entire team feel “fortunate and blessed” to not have been affected by Helene.
“Both of our two stores as well as all of our staff and their homes were safe from harm and our lives were back to normal within 24 hours of the storm passing by us,” Mosser said. “The Get Healthy team’s thoughts and prayers are with all the retailers, residents and families throughout the United States who were not as fortunate as we were.”
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has a list of donation information for organizations that are providing front-line critical care and support to the communities affected by Helene.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with the communities that have been devastated by Hurricane Helene. The communities and forests of southern Appalachia are deeply and historically connected with the botanical industry, and we stand in support of the enormous number of people who have been catastrophically affected,” AHPA said in a statement.
The Southeast United States is now bracing for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall in the coming days.
