MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — The need for supplies is in high demand for those in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, and people in both Carolinas are working together to get people what they need.
While many churches and community members on the Grand Strand are collecting items to take to those in South Carolina’s Upstate and western North Carolina any way they can, one group is taking items by air.
Pilots with the Carolina Aviators Network are coming together to help those in need after Helene. They are a destination hub for ground-based deliveries from family or company donations in different areas.
Once people drop off donations, they weigh the items and distribute them based on whether it is water, food, medical supplies, diapers, etc. Then, they load the supplies onto airplanes based on the weight each airplane can hold.
As more roads are starting to reopen, they are now transitioning from airplanes to trucks and trailers as well.
Stephen Linson, director of communications for the Carolina Aviators Network, said pilots have come back from western North Carolina saying it is a disaster zone. He said everybody is working as a team so they are able to land planes safely and get people the help they need.