Real Estate Pros Drive Recovery After Hurricane Helene

Your donation to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation provides housing-related assistance to households affected by the deadly hurricane. Every dollar goes directly to disaster victims.

Real estate professionals are stepping up in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which left a trail of destruction across six states.

Helene’s 500-mile path of devastation brought record-breaking storm surges and powerful winds, wiping out homes and businesses. The death toll stands at 116, with many more still unaccounted for. As the recovery begins, real estate professionals are mobilizing to help, and the REALTORS® Relief Foundation is raising funds to support housing-related relief efforts for victims.

“The level of destruction and disruption to daily life is unimaginable,” said Tony Harrington, 2024 President of North Carolina REALTORS®, in a video to members. Buncombe County, N.C., was one of the hardest-hit areas, suffering catastrophic flooding and mudslides that claimed 30 lives. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper described the damage as “catastrophic devastation of historic proportions.”

Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday before weakening to a tropical storm as it tore through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. “Families have lost everything—homes, businesses, and loved ones,” Harrington continued. “We are committed to supporting the recovery process in every way possible. Every contribution—no matter how small—helps those who need it most.”

KW Cares Mobilizes Relief

Keller Williams’ KW Cares team immediately sprang into action, coordinating aid for affected agents. KW Cares distributed 500 generators in Greenville, S.C., and parts of Florida, where millions lost power. The team has also provided 32 emergency grants to help agents who were forced to evacuate or lost property in the storm.

“Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, N.C., particularly hard, as well as surrounding areas and parts of Florida’s coast,” said Alexia Rodriguez, CEO of KW Cares. “Recovery will be a long road ahead.”

Helene dropped 14 inches of rain in Asheville, N.C., alone, flooding homes and businesses. In Buncombe County, at least 40 deaths have been reported. Nationwide, property damage is estimated between $15 billion and $26 billion, with lost economic output reaching an additional $5 billion to $8 billion, according to Moody’s Analytics.

How REALTORS® Can Help

Real estate professionals have a unique role in supporting the recovery effort. “Rebuilding after a storm like Helene requires more than just restoring what was lost—it’s about resilience and coming together as a community,” said Gia Arvin, president of Florida REALTORS®.

The REALTORS® Relief Foundation is raising funds to provide housing-related assistance to Hurricane Helene’s victims. You can donate in the following ways:

• Text “HeleneRelief24” to 71777.
• Visit RRF.realtor and click “Donate.”
• Mail a check payable to REALTORS® Relief Foundation, 430 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 (Include “RRF Contribution” in the memo).

Through October 11, donations can be earmarked specifically for Hurricane Helene relief.

Since its founding in 2001, the REALTORS® Relief Foundation has provided more than $48 million in disaster aid to over 24,000 families. In 2023 alone, a record $8.3 million was distributed. The National Association of REALTORS® covers all administrative costs, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to families in need.