Horry County generosity dulls Helene heartbreak in western North Carolina

Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series from News13 reporters Adrianna Lawrence and Eric Cooper, who traveled into western North Carolina last week as part of a supply run from Myrtle Beach.

LAKE LURE, N.C. (WBTW) — Lake Lure was torn apart by the force of a tempest so strong that roofs ripped away like pieces of paper and roads crumbled like freshly baked cookies.

Lives taken. Landscapes torn away forever.

But Hurricane Helene didn’t win. Because the people and places that remain standing after it swept through Appalachia aren’t ever going to stop rebuilding. Or caring. Or surviving.

“It just gives you chills to think about. You feel blessed in the middle of a catastrophic event. And it’s just because people are helping people. That’s really what matters the most,” said Bobby Bennett, retail director at Four Seasons Hospice Home in Asheville.

Almost from the moment that the scope of Helene’s destruction became clear, people across the Grand Strand reached into their cabinets, wallets, garages and hearts to come up with whatever they could that would help their fellow Carolinians.

Canned goods, cleaning products, clothing, diapers, pet food. All priceless commodities with power grids ruined and roadways impassable.

Multiple pallets of goods originally dropped off at Myrtle Beach-area businesses were driven by truck into Lake Lure by a caravan of volunteers eager to distribute the offerings.

“Everybody banding together from different places that don’t know anybody up here, and they’re risking their lives day and night to try to help us out,” said Polk County resident Deena Moore. “We’re just blessed.”

Where many saw rubble and ruin, pastor Issac Arledge of Rock Springs Baptist Church near Lake Lure looked through the small openings it left — and right into the light.

“Right now, that’s what it is. You just got to, if you see somebody outside or you see a car and the trees blocked, you just got to stop in and say, ‘hey, are you OK?’ Do you need anything? Do you need any water, gas for generators?’ Because there’s a big need right now for everything, pretty much,” he said. “We take for granted just having water.”

KJ Jordan, a Myrtle Beach resident who was behind the wheel of a relief truck, felt the pain of those who he was there to help.

“I mean, it’s heartbreaking. I never thought I’d see something like this up here,” he said.

Money flowed in along with the non-perishable items and other staples, with organizations like SC Needs Help coordinating it all. The Horry County-based nonprofit was formed in 2018 to help victims of natural disasters in their own community.

“They started getting the ball rolling on social media and putting trucks together and having delivery spots,” Jordan said. “Praise to them and a lot of the places and businesses at home for allowing us to do donations and drop spots.”

Ronnie Hribar, also of Myrtle Beach, was inspired by the sight.

“I’m tore up. Humbling, humbling. The generosity of it, and just people helping people. It’s beautiful,” he said.

Yes, beauty — even at the epicenter of a tragedy that won’t be forgotten for generations to come.

Beauty because of compassion — and a commitment to the cause that won’t end just because the storm has.

“Whatever’s coming, just keep sending it, because we’re going to help,” Hribar said. “And these great folks in all of Appalachia, we’re going to make sure this stuff gets to people that need help.”

You can still help by donating the following supplies at local drop-off sites:

• laundry detergent
• small propane containers
• baby formula
• new winter clothes
• medicine
• batteries
• trash bags
• brooms and mops
• sleeping bags and blankets
• baby diapers
• notebooks and pens
• cat litter
• food

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

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Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook , and X, formerly Twitter . You can also read more of her work, here .

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Eric Cooper is a multimedia journalist at News13. He joined the team in September 2024 and covers stories in the Pee Dee. He is a native of Cades in Williamsburg County and a proud graduate of Kingstree Senior High School and Benedict College. You can read more of his work here .

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