Hurricane Helene recently caused widespread death and devastation through several states in the Southeast with high winds and heavy rainfall that resulted in dangerous flash flooding across the Appalachian Mountains.
In response to the tragic disaster, Country music superstar Morgan Wallen, who hails from one of the impacted areas, donated a half-million dollars to help response and recovery efforts, according to Fox News.
The famed guitarist and singer let it be known that while his East Tennessee family had stayed safe from the storm’s destruction, he was keeping others who weren’t lucky enough to escape the devastating effects in his thoughts and prayers.
Family reported safe, donation made to assist others
Fox News reported that Wallen said in a Sunday Instagram post, “My family in East Tennessee are safe but I know many are absolutely devastated there and in multiple states. All my prayers are geared towards those tonight.”
“Those hills and hollers are very important to me in so many ways. It is going to take a monumental effort and I am in contact with my team and others working on ways I can help,” he added.
Just one day later, according to People magazine, Wallen put his money where his mouth was and made a $500,000 donation to the Red Cross through his namesake Morgan Wallen Foundation.
Trevor Riggin, the national president of humanitarian services for the Red Cross, said in a statement, “We can’t thank Morgan Wallen enough for his heart and generous $500,000 donation to impact help on the ground now in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene, including his beloved East Tennessee.”
Wallen’s namesake foundation
People noted that Wallen appears to be the first major celebrity to step up and make a sizeable donation to help aid those impacted by the deadly and destructive flooding that submerged and swept away much of the region.
As noted, the $500,000 donation was made through the Morgan Wallen Foundation, which says in its mission statement that it “supports programs for youth in the areas of sports and music. We are also committed to helping communities in times of crisis, ensuring access to food, critical supplies, and more.”
Interestingly enough, while Wallen’s foundation does accept donations from his fans and supporters of his mission, the bulk of its funds come from Wallen himself, who donates $3 from every concert ticket sold, according to Fox News.
Six states suffer devastating impact from hurricane’s winds, storm surge, heavy rain, and flooding
According to USA Today, Hurricane Helene made landfall on the Florida Gulf Coast and proceeded northward through Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia.
While Florida suffered substantial damage from high winds and storm surge, the inland states were drenched with heavy sustained rainfall that caused major flash flooding that completely destroyed entire communities in some locations.
As of Monday, reports indicated that at least 133 people had been killed by the storm, with 50 of those deaths occurring in North Carolina and 40 of those happening in just Buncombe County alone.
It was also reported that around 600 people are still reported as missing by loved ones, and though some of those individuals may, unfortunately, be eventually found dead, it is estimated that most will be found safe once the region’s thoroughly destroyed communications infrastructure is restored.
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Author: Ben Marquis
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