After Hurricane Helene, the VA in Western NC is making sure that no veteran is left behind

After Hurricane Helene, the VA in Western NC is making sure that no veteran is left behind  
Southern Living; by Abigail Wilt; 11/11/24
The agency has contacted 100% of the high-risk veterans they identified before the storm—some visits requiring mile-long hikes up unstable mountainous terrain. As Western North Carolina continues to pick up the pieces on a long road to recovery following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, teams from the local VA are going above and beyond to care for veterans. ... That service extended deep into the mountains. Prior to the storm, the VA identified over 2,600 vulnerable veterans at highest risk, including patients going through chemo treatments and those with spinal cord injuries, mobility issues, and home oxygen needs. When the floodwaters hit, the Emergency Department never closed. Immediately following Helene, the VA began addressing the oxygen needs of 1200 vulnerable veterans, Young shared, and a task force was mobilized to perform wellness checks. But as many roads were washed out and phone and internet service inconsistent, these wellness checks often took the form of compassion on foot. “We contacted 100% of the high-risk veterans, either by phone or in person at their homes,” Young said. “Some visits required mile-long hikes up unstable mountainous terrain to reach veterans, including those determined to stay in their homes."