Mercy Hospital staff responds to call for help in North Carolina following hurricane

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Hurricane Helene left a devastating path, leaving so many without power, food, water, and everyday essentials.

Dozens of linemen, nurses, and nonprofits from Northwest Arkansas are headed into harm’s way. With Milton just hours from making landfall and clean-ups from Helene, help is heading in from every direction.

That’s why one local hospital is stepping up to the plate after they received the call for help.

Brooke Harp is a nurse manager for Mercy Hospital in Rogers. Harp is one of the nine nurses who extended a helping hand to the ones who have suffered from Hurricane Helene. “I feel very blessed to be part of a hospital system whose mission is to serve the community. It’s a great opportunity, and just watching the video footage from the damage from the hurricane and the people that need help just weighed heavily on my heart,” said Harp.

It weighed not only on her heart but also on Harps’ faith. While she watched videos of the storm damage, she wanted to help. And just hours later, she got the call.

“I got included in a group text message about a meeting that had happened at the hospital where the state of North Carolina had reached out to the state of Arkansas and said, ‘You know we need nurses ‘ and ‘Can you send anybody?’. And I thought maybe this is a sign. This is God saying ‘You wanted to help, and here’s your opportunity to do so,” said Harp.

So, Harp packed up her stuff and flew out Oct. 9 on a community nursing health assignment in Asheville, North Carolina. “What that entails is the basic intake of patients assessing their needs, treating some minor injuries, and providing medications. It could also be coordination of care, and if a patient needs medication that they have lost, just helping them to get that back in their hands. If they need to see a provider, setting up appointments for those who may be helping with transportation, and a large variety of needs,” said Harp.

Besides the care that is needed, Harp is nervous to see the damaged homes, personal belongings, and families that are pleading for help. But Harp believes it is all in God’s hands.

“I’ve never done this before. I don’t know if you’re ever prepared for a situation like that. I think you just have to trust that God’s not going to give you more than you can handle, and you just have to go in with an open mind and a willingness to serve and take care of the patients as they need,” said Harp.

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