Originally published at National Catholic Register
The storm, which brought catastrophic flooding and damaging winds inland to Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas, has killed more than 50 people.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s sparsely populated Big Bend region on Thursday night as a Category 4, bringing 9-foot storm surge to some areas, knocking out power for millions, and killing more than 50 people.
Weakening into a tropical storm over land, Helene brought catastrophic flooding and damaging winds inland to Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas.
Western North Carolina was particulary hard hit.
“We pray for everyone who has been affected, especially for those who have been injured or lost loved ones, and for the communities in western North Carolina that are seeing total devastation,” said Msgr. Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, according to the Catholic News Herald. “We are also taking stock of how we can help our local communities.” The diocesan paper also reported: “Bishop Michael Martin on Friday lifted the Sunday Mass obligation in places impacted by the storm, but some churches including Immaculate Conception plan Sunday services as usual – even without power.”
Neighboring Diocese of Raleigh is pointing to the efforts of the national
