In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, community banks have mobilized to support relief efforts in some of the hardest-hit areas in North Carolina and Tennessee. Flooding, infrastructure damage, and displaced families have left communities in need, and local bankers are stepping up to offer both financial and logistical support.
Local Bankers Step Up in the Face of Disaster
Three local financial services professionals shared their experiences and efforts in rallying relief, underscoring the importance of community institutions in times of crisis:
- Lynn Johnson, COO, EVP, North Carolina Bankers Association, Raleigh, N.C.
- Billy Carroll, President, CEO, Smart Bank, Knoxville, Tenn.
- John Hunter, SVP, Tri-Cities Community President, Trio South Bank, Johnson City, Tenn.
They explained their post-storm realities in an interview with Brian Love, Head of Banking and Fintech at Travillian.
Continued Support Essential for North Carolina: “This Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint”
Lynn Johnson described widespread damage and the ongoing challenges faced by communities in Western North Carolina. She emphasized the immense toll the disaster has taken, both emotionally and physically, on the region and its residents.
“Our hearts are breaking for all our fellow Western North Carolinians. The devastation continues to grow every day,” Johnson says. “The infrastructure will take years. The roads are buckled, and bridges are out. People are without jobs. So the need is great in North Carolina.”
Johnson notes the remarkable resilience and generosity of citizens, both locally and across the country, evidenced by the offers of assistance. Private citizens have been flying in supplies, and rescue efforts by the National Guard are ongoing.
“The need will be ongoing for years,” Johnson says, emphasizing the long-term nature of the recovery. “This will not be a sprint; it’s going to be a marathon.”
To aid those affected, the North Carolina Bankers Foundation has been raising funds for specific needs. It is currently concentrating on banking families who have lost homes, cars, or jobs, with special attention to North Carolinians with insufficient insurance coverage.
Johnson appealed to the Travillian audience, which includes Banking+ readers, for contributions. She notes that the funds will go directly to affected families after any insurance claims.
A Parallel Crisis in East Tennessee: “Recovery is Going to be Long”
Billy Carroll, President and CEO of Smart Bank, echoed similar sentiments from East Tennessee. He’s seen communities in Carter County, Unicoi County, and surrounding areas that have been severely impacted by the storm.
“We’re seeing continued issues with water supply,” Carroll says. “The recovery is just going to continue to be a long, long process. A lot of roads are out.”
Despite the ongoing challenges, Carroll praised the efforts of community members and fellow bankers. Tennessee’s disaster relief efforts have been bolstered by the Tennessee Bankers Association, which is raising resources specifically for bankers impacted in Upper East Tennessee.
“At the end of the day, it’s just awesome to see our bankers come together in times of need,” Carroll says.
He also encourages people to support the relief efforts, whether through financial donations or by volunteering to help. He also highlighted the Mountain Ways Foundation, a local charity focused on getting resources directly to affected families.
Small Businesses Hit Hard by the Disaster in Unicoi County and Beyond
John Hunter, the Market President for the Johnson City area at Trio South Bank, shared an even more personal view of the devastation, describing how close his area came to disaster. Despite narrowly avoiding the worst of the flooding, nearby Tennessee counties like Unicoi and Carter were hit hard.
“Our focus right now has been on helping our neighbors,” Hunter says, highlighting the destruction caused by the Nolichucky River. The river, which typically flows at around 400 cubic feet per second, peaked at a staggering 162,000 cubic feet per second, wiping out infrastructure like the interstate bridge in Unicoi County.
Hunter described the challenges of even basic transportation in the area, with what was once a 45-minute drive now requiring a three-hour detour due to destroyed roads. Despite this, the local community’s response has been immediate and powerful.
“The local response and the immediate response by businesses and residents has been overwhelming and amazing to the point that some donation sites had to stop taking donations because they were just overwhelmed,” Hunter says. He directed those looking to help to Region Ahead, a local nonprofit that helps small businesses recover from disasters like this.
Community Bankers Significance in Impacted Regions
All three bankers emphasized the importance of continued support, not just in the immediate aftermath but over the months and years to come. Rebuilding infrastructure and housing, especially in rural and mountainous regions, will take time and resources. Carroll urged people to remain engaged, even after the media attention fades.
“Don’t forget about it,” Carroll says. “It’s headlines this week, and then we all get back to normal next week. Everybody except the folks that are impacted.”
Hunter adds that the region was already facing a housing shortage before the storm, which the disaster has now exacerbated. “It’s going to take a while. Please don’t forget us.”
Community bankers are not just the financial backbone of these regions; they are the lifeblood of the communities themselves. As they work to rebuild, they call on everyone—customers, neighbors, and viewers from afar—to lend a hand.
How to Help Affected Families and Businesses
Throughout the interviews, several organizations were mentioned as working directly with families and businesses affected by the storm. They are all open to receiving donations to assist with their rescue efforts:
- North Carolina Bankers Foundation for banking families in North Carolina.
- Mountain Ways Foundation for direct aid to Tennessee families.
- Region Ahead for small businesses in Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
These community bankers are leading the charge on the long road to recovery, reminding us that their strength comes from the institutions they represent and the communities they serve.
