With the terrible devastation from Hurricane Helene, (we have all seen the reports and horrible videos), it’s humbling but with great pride to share the amazing response the Outer Banks had by stepping up to the plate and aiding our friends in Western North Carolina.
Local Outer Banks business owners Matt Khouri, Owner of Outer Banks Boil Company, Michael Stokes, Owner of Flying Fish Ink and Matt Paulson, Fishing Captain and guide, were the point people to facilitate an incredible air and ground response. Over 40 missions were flown into Concord Airport, as well as over 40-50 ground operations. Together they have delivered 80,000 lbs of necessary supplies to Western North Carolina. Ground operations are still currently active. These were assisted by both Dare and Currituck Counties, using Dare County Regional Airport and Currituck County Regional Airport!
Operation Airdrop coordinated and performed the following:
673 Fights!
402,000 lbs of supplies flown by air!
700,000 lbs of supplies trucked in!
1,102,000 lbs in total!!!!!!!! 15 Drop Sites at and around Concord Airport!!
In addition, many OBX locals felt the call to help and transported supplies using their own vehicles! Venmo donations were immense! Friends from as far away as Texas, Louisiana and Georgia made donations to us and allowed us to purchase items to be flown where needed.
In short, all of these people not only stepped up to the plate, but hit it out of the park!!
There is so much still to be done, and there are hundreds still unaccounted for in the Asheville area.
We have a link to help! ourepicproject.com/donate – when donating please note that you would like these funds to go specifically to hurricane relief.
Prayers for the people of Asheville, the surrounding areas, first responders and all the volunteers who give tirelessly in their efforts to help our friends in Western North Carolina.
Matt Khouri with Pilot Chris Taylor