Baldwin County helping storm victims, animals after Hurricane Helene

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — The images of storm damage are hard to forget and for Kayla Jones, those images hit close to home.

“I’m from tri-cities which are all really small towns and Irwin is part of that.”

Irwin, Tennessee is among the many communities struggling in Helene’s aftermath, Jones explained.

“My mom is stuck in Virginia because the bridge has washed away,” said Jones. “So, she is extremely disheartened. She doesn’t know what to do. There is no internet, no power, no gas, there’s nothing.”

But they are not the only ones in need.

Jordan Beech Farms and Venue is “donation central” for relief supplies for the animals that have been impacted.

“There are so many resources coming in for everyone which we appreciate but there are so many people there taking care of the animals that don’t have a home right now,” said Jones.

Food, bedding, leashes, halters, and anything animal-related is being collected.

“Coastal communities just band together in times of need like this,” said Gulf Shores Assistant Fire Chief Melvin Shepard.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach fire departments are combining their efforts to collect supplies for folks in Florida who took a direct hit from the Category 4 storm.

“This is kind of personal for a lot of people. We’ve all been through it if you have lived here long enough so you understand what the people are going through and we want to do everything we can to help them.”

Seeing the images from Florida to the tri-cities area, “It’s heartbreaking,” said Jones.

“The history of East Tennessee and North Carolina is gone.”

Recovering from such devastation will take time, effort, and most of all, the kindness of strangers.

Donations can be dropped off during normal business hours at Gulf Shores Fire Station 1 and Orange Beach Fire Station 3.

Donations at Jordan Beech Farms and Venue a box is out front of the gate to take donations at any time but if there is a large donation or if you need help unloading you are asked to call 251-381-3353.

This will not be a “one-and-done” relief effort. This is just the beginning of a long road to recovery.

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