Perquimans sheriff delivers 8 pallets of relief supplies to WNC

HERTFORD — Perquimans County residents are all too familiar with the destruction from hurricanes and tropical storms. And although it's been more than 20 years since Hurricane Isabel roared through the county knocking out power and water infrastructure for days, many residents still remember that storm's impact and aftermath.

With those memories in mind, many county residents rushed into action last week to help residents of Rutherford County, one of the 27 western North Carolina hard hit by Tropical Storm Helene on Friday, Sept. 27.

According to Jonathan Nixon, Perquimans County emergency services director, eight pallets of supplies were collected over several days at Perquimans High School and the Perquimans County Emergency Services building. The donated supplies included everything from packaged snacks and plastic utensils to toilet paper and cleaning supplies.

After being packed tightly inside a 24-foot enclosed trailer, the supplies were transported from Hertford on Tuesday to a central receiving site set up in Rutherford. Driving the truck to Rutherford were Perquimans County Sheriff Shelby White and his wife, Jessica, a paramedic with Perquimans County Emergency Medical Services.

It's been nearly two weeks since Helene hit western North Carolina, sparking massive flooding that washed out roads, destroyed homes and businesses, and knocked out electric power, water distribution systems and communication towers across the region. As of Wednesday, the death toll from the storm had risen above 230 across six states. About half those deaths have been reported in North Carolina.

According to Julie Solesbee, assistant director for Perquimans County Emergency Services, Rutherford County was chosen as a drop-off point for the donated supplies for a specific reason.

“Rutherford County Communications serves as one of the backup 911 centers for Perquimans-Gates 911 Communications," she said in an email. "In the event that our center was unable to accept 911 calls, an agreement is in place that Rutherford Communications would assist the residents of Perquimans and Gates (counties) until operations could resume or staff were able to relocate."

No date has been set for the next delivery of donated supplies from Perquimans to Rutherford.

Nixon said the public can still help by dropping off canned goods and paper products through October at the Perquimans County Emergency Services building at 159 Creek Drive. Students attending Hertford Grammar, Perquimans Middle and Perquimans High School are also welcome to contribute to supply collection drives at their school.