The Community Response Category Recognition

The Southwest Virginia MRC (VA) activated during Hurricane Helene in September 2024, after floods washed away roads, houses, and critical infrastructure. More than 500 homes were destroyed or damaged and close to 40,000 people were impacted with either no water service or contaminated water. Amidst this dire situation, the Southwest MRC volunteers responded rapidly, supporting three separate emergency shelters that were open for several days following the storm; conducting door-to-door wellness checks in teams of two; distributing bottled water, food and other essential supplies to persons in need at fixed points of distribution; and providing information and referrals for local health and social services support at FEMA disaster recovery centers. MRC volunteers also supported mobile vaccination units that went to flood-impacted communities and offered tetanus vaccines to individuals who were exposed to contaminated flood waters. In total, 74 volunteers provided 579 hours of critical support to short-term recovery efforts.