Calhoun County and Montgomery, AL – In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Calhoun County is stepping up to help, with local officials organizing a major supply drive to support recovery efforts in the hardest-hit areas. Simultaneously, Governor Kay Ivey announced the activation of an Alabama National Guard team to assist with search and rescue operations in North Carolina.
The Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is collecting essential supplies for Hurricane Helene relief from now until Thursday evening. Drop-off locations are available in Jacksonville, Anniston, and Oxford. Items needed include flashlights, non-perishable food, baby supplies, first aid kits, pet food, and cleaning supplies. Monetary donations can also be made through the Red Cross and United Way.
Jacksonville donation locations include the Jacksonville Fire Department (Station 1), while Anniston has drop-offs at Fire Stations 1 and 3. Oxford residents can contribute at Fire Stations 1, 2, and 3, as well as the Oxford Police Department and Oxford Health Systems Paramedics.
In addition to local relief efforts, Governor Ivey has activated a 13-person Alabama National Guard team, including 11 Airmen from the state’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team (FSRT). The team will assist North Carolina, where over 1,000 people remain missing following catastrophic flooding. Alabama has also sent three Swift Water Rescue Teams and a Cadaver Dog Team to aid in rescue and recovery missions.
“Hurricane Helene left warzone-like devastation in its path, and Alabama is here to lend a helping hand,” said Governor Ivey. “I am directing an Alabama National Guard team, in addition to other first responders, to assist in North Carolina.”
The FSRT, part of Alabama’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosives (CBRNE) Emergency Response Force Package (CERFP), is specially trained for disaster response, including casualty recovery.
Those wishing to donate can drop off items at the following locations until Thursday evening:
Jacksonville:
- Jacksonville Fire Department, Station 1, 911 Public Safety Dr. SW
Anniston:
- Fire Station 1: 225 East 17th St.
- Fire Station 3 (Regional Training Center): 5304 McClellan Blvd.
Oxford:
- Fire Station 1: 70 E. 6th St.
- Fire Station 2: 1920 Friendship Rd.
- Fire Station 3: 56 Bynum Cut-Off Rd.
- Oxford Police Department: 600 Stanley Merrill Dr.
- Oxford Health Systems Paramedics: 12 W. Hamric Dr.
