Morgan Wallen Pledges Support For Hurricane Helene Victims

Morgan Wallen took to social media to pledge his support for the victims of Hurricane Helene. The catastrophic flooding, caused by the remnants of the hurricane, has left three people dead and 100 missing in East Tennessee.

While assuring fans that his family in eastern Tennessee is safe, Morgan Wallen also revealed that he and his team are actively working on ways to assist those affected by the disaster.

On Sunday, September 29, the country music singer took to Instagram to check in with his fans following the devastating hurricane that has left over 100 people dead.

"My family in East Tennessee are safe, but I know many are absolutely devastated there and in multiple states," he began. "All my prayers are geared towards those tonight. Those hills and hollers are very important to me in so many ways."

"It is going to take a monumental effort and I am in contact with my team and others working on ways I can help," Wallen added.

President Joe Biden has issued a disaster declaration for several counties in East Tennessee, where severe flooding has devastated road and water infrastructure. Large sections of Interstate 40 and Interstate 26 have been washed away, and 13 water utility districts are currently unable to supply water to their customers.

Governor Bill Lee requested federal assistance on Friday afternoon after more than 50 people became stranded on a hospital roof in Unicoi County.

According to officials, Tennessee had not requested help prior to the storm, as its impact on the state was not initially predicted to be so severe. The counties now receiving disaster relief include Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Johnson, and Unicoi.

"This will be a long hard long process," Sheehan said. "For context, we still are doing disaster recovery from the great 2010 flood of Tennessee. This kind of flooding — we know there is a long road ahead. We are working to get resources on there."

Both the East Tennessee Foundation and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee are accepting donations through the Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund to support those affected by the disaster.

"We have had a lot of well-meaning folks getting turned around by troopers and TDOT," Sheehan said. "They are getting turned around because there's no place for them to go. We will have opportunities for those folks."

The Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has committed $1 million to support local nonprofit organizations assisting those most affected by Hurricane Helene.

"The flooding caused by Hurricane Helene's storm surge has been devastating to many throughout the state and specifically in our Tampa Bay community," Buccaneers Owner / Chairman Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation and Glazer Vision Foundation Darcie Glazer Kassewitz said. "There are many areas throughout our community that will require time and additional resources in order to begin the recovery."

"We offer our full support to those who have been impacted and are extremely thankful for the heroic and brave efforts of the many first responders and utility workers who have been working tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community during this difficult time," the statement continued.

The funds will be distributed to local agencies involved in relief efforts throughout the Tampa Bay area.

At least 121 deaths across six states have been attributed to the storm, a number that rose Monday as the full extent of the devastation became clearer.

The storm's impact stretched from Florida’s Gulf Coast up to the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia.

Along Florida’s Gulf Coast, several feet of water flooded the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, prompting staff to relocate two manatees and several sea turtles. While all the animals remained safe, much of the aquarium’s essential equipment was either damaged or destroyed, according to Executive Director James Powell.

In North Carolina, the county that includes Asheville reported at least 35 deaths, with additional fatalities in Georgia and South Carolina.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials reported Monday that hundreds of roads across western North Carolina remained closed, with more than 1,000 people taking refuge in shelters.