MONTREAT, N.C. (MWSN) — Montreat, North Carolina is in ruins following catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene. Montreat College, a school of nearly one-thousand students twenty miles east of Asheville, closed at 2:30 pm on Thursday afternoon “out of an abundance of caution,” the school’s internal text messaging system stated.
Shocking footage shows a campus ravaged by flooding. Buildings with feet of water standing inside and untold damage to the historical campus and property. The college is now beginning recovery efforts. Tropical Storm Helene caused widespread flooding and damage across Western North Carolina.
Over the past several days, the college has worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of its students and staff. As of September 30, all students have been safely relocated, and classes have been canceled through October 6. Despite the challenges, Montreat College has maintained a focus on community support and recovery.
“Our first priority was the safety of our students, and I am grateful for the quick actions of our staff and emergency responders,” said Montreat College President Paul Maurer. “While we are relieved that everyone is safe, the damage to our campus is extensive, and the road to recovery will be long.”
One of the hardest-hit areas on campus is McAlister Gymnasium, which suffered significant water damage and is currently closed while structural assessments are underway. In addition, power and water outages have affected daily operations, but the college remains committed to supporting students and staff throughout the recovery process.
Many alumni, parents, and friends have asked how they can support Montreat College during this challenging time. The college has established two funds to assist in recovery efforts: the Campus Recovery Fund and the Community Benevolence Fund. These funds will be used to repair campus facilities and provide assistance to those in the Montreat community who experienced property damage and loss.
“We recognize that many of our supporters were also affected by the storm, and we are grateful for any contributions during this time of need,” said Maurer. “Every dollar will help us rebuild and continue serving our students.”
For those in a position to contribute, donations can be made through the college’s website at https://montreatcollege.givingfuel.com/disaster-recovery-from-tropical-storm-helene?fbclid=IwY2xjawFpCrlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXQ23DP-2h_LhPowgSIZFFj9KwP43tWak15nDRasjYctb1jcx2wFxinXzQ_aem_WjPKkubpP9rn0POWQzPzOg
Despite the difficult circumstances, the Montreat community remains strong and united, with a focus on moving forward. “We are thankful for the continued prayers and support,” said Maurer. “We will get through this together.”
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