WSSU emergency personnel deployed to UNC Asheville to help with hurricane aftermath

Campus holding drive to send supplies to western NC

Winston-Salem State University Office of Emergency Management (OEM) personnel have been deployed to UNC Asheville to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene while the WSSU campus holds a drive to help peer institutions impacted by the storm.

Jason Stogner, director of OEM, was deployed on Sept. 28, and Sarah Isom, assistant director, left for Asheville Sept. 30.

Stogner will be leading the Emergency Management/Incident Management Team. Both he and Isom will assist with stabilizing campus operations, and with the health and life safety of the campus community there. 

UNC System campuses are sending support to Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina Asheville and Western Carolina University, as well as the North Carolina Arboretum and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics-Morganton, according to a UNC System press release.

The N.C. Governor’s office said at least 600 people have not been accounted for in western North Carolina after torrential rains and flooding from Helene swept through the area on Sept. 27. It is considered the worst storm to hit this part of the state. The area does not have power, running water or cellular service.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials said hundreds of roads were closed across western North Carolina and that shelters were housing more than 1,000 people.

Isom transported with her a battery generator backup and hygiene supplies. Stogner, who was accompanied by Travis Auman, N.C. Agricultural and Technical University’s emergency management director, carried with them generators and lighting, first-aid kits, N95 masks, gloves, hand sanitizers and cases of water and food.

Want to help?

WSSU students, faculty and staff are asking how they can come together as a Ramily and support those directly or indirectly impacted, said Dr. Jon Kapell interim dean of students for WSSU. Through the collaboration of the Student Government Association, the Faculty Senate and the Staff Senate, WSSU is collecting the following items to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene:

•  Non-perishable food (no can opener required)
• Feminine products
• Diapers
• Powdered baby formula
• Paper towels, toilet paper,and tissues
• Toiletries (i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, bars of soap, hand and body wipes)
• Hand or body wipes
• Trash bags
• Flashlights with batteries

Items not needed at this time are: cases of water, hand sanitizer and money/gift cards.

The items can be dropped off at any of the following locations:

• DJR 207
• Thompson 303
• Blair Hall – first-floor lobby
• FL Atkins, room 241
• Anderson Center – first-floor lobby

Items will be collected through Oct. 4 so they can be transitioned to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office for delivery next week.