On November 18, 2024, the Trinity Episcopal Church was brimming with energy. Attendees from grassroots organizations, nonprofits, church groups, and volunteer teams from across Buncombe County filled every available seat—extra chairs had to be brought in. The gathering marked the first meeting of the Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) for Buncombe County, a critical step toward addressing the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. A Long-Term Recovery Group is not a new concept, but a proven national model tailored to meet local needs. In Asheville's case, this means creating a community-driven approach to addressing the hurricane's aftermath. With over 82,000 FEMA cases filed, the scale of devastation is immense. Yet, in that packed church room, the feeling of unity was palpable—stronger even than the weight of the challenges ahead.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County (UWABC) co-lead the event alongside Thrive Asheville. This was an extension of UWABC’s long-standing role as a community convener. Dan Leroy and Sarah Roth shared the stage alongside Kate Pett from Thrive, NCVOAD, and FEMA representatives to provide clarity and direction, demonstrating how nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and community leaders could collaboratively support individual and family recovery efforts.

What is an LTRG?

A Long Term Recovery Group is a proven national model that has emerged in response to disasters across the county. The structure is built around committees, each focusing on key areas like Volunteer Management, Construction, Donations, Case Management, and Emotional/Spiritual Care. While these are common starting points, the framework is intentionally flexible, allowing each LTRG to adapt to the specific needs of its community.

For Buncombe County, this means designing a recovery effort that truly reflects local voices. As Kate and Dan explained, while city, county, state, and federal entities manage large-scale recovery efforts like housing infrastructure and debris removal, the LTRG is focused on the personal—the case-by-case needs of individuals and families affected by the storm.

Laying the Foundation

This first meeting marked the transition of thought and services from the immediate relief phase—characterized by temporary housing and emotional support—to the long-term recovery phase. Here, the focus broadens to rebuilding homes, replacing personal property, and ensuring sustained emotional and spiritual care.

The two-hour session provided an overview of the LTRG model and allowed participants to ask questions, voice ideas, and take stock of who was present—and who still needed to be engaged. Attendees began exploring committees of interest where they felt their work could make the most impact, and they began to introduce themselves and their affiliated work. While these initial placements were not final, they demonstrated the eagerness of our community to hit the ground running.

Looking Forward

The work ahead is daunting; estimates say 8-10 years until full recovery, but the dedication and collaboration demonstrated at this meeting are a testament to the resilience of our community. The urgency is clear: the needs of individuals and families cannot wait.

The spirit in the room was a reminder that recovery is about more than rebuilding structures; it’s about restoring hope and ensuring that no one navigates this journey alone. United, Buncombe County is rising to meet the challenge.