This group stepped in after Helene devastated Asheville. Now, they are headed to Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The scope of the deadly Texas Hill Country floods hasn't been realized yet, with victims still unaccounted for. But the operation to restore the region is already underway.

Volunteers and organizations are coming to Central Texas from across the state and country, looking to help in any way they can.

BeLoved Asheville, an Asheville, North Carolina-based nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing communities together, stepped in to help after Hurricane Helene decimated western North Carolina in the fall of 2024, bringing significant flooding to the region. Ponkho Bermejo and Amy Cantrell, founders of BeLoved Asheville, said they saw firsthand the compassion of Texans after so many drove to North Carolina to offer help and resources.

"Our hearts absolutely broke for you all in Texas. We say it's visceral, and we feel it in our bodies, what you all are going through," Cantrell said. "This is a really powerful moment for us to want to respond to you all in your hour of need. Many, many Texans came to us in our hour of need."

Bermejo said the goal of the organization's mutual aid is to create one big "neighborhood," or family. He hopes to see strangers trusting and helping each other like one would take care of a sick relative.

"When good times came, we can celebrate together, and when bad times came, we can do the work together too," Bermejo said.

After so many Texans assisted BeLoved Asheville post-Helene, Cantrell said she made the Texans a promise — if this ever happened in their home state, they would be there.

Cantrell said the first trucks of supplies left for Texas Monday, with the goal of arriving to help manage the early stages of flood relief.

Bermejo said one of the most essential resources after the flood is protective equipment, as flood waters can quickly become contaminated and pose a threat to human health. The group is also sending diapers, baby formula and gasoline for powering generators.

The pair shared stories of strangers — many from Texas — showing up after Helene to help. Cantrell said many ultimately stuck around, cooking for volunteers and first responders, an example of the compassion they were shown. She now wants to return that compassion.

"You all can expect that in Texas ... everybody is turning their love and care towards you all, and you have the support of so many people in the wake of this," Cantrell said "We're not going to forget."

In addition to BeLoved Asheville's resources, they encourage anyone from around the country to pitch in however they are able. Cantrell specifically named the Hill Country Community Foundation as a strong community organization to donate to, and also said anyone hoping to get involved with BeLoved Asheville can visit their website and follow them on social media.

The group now faces potentially two disasters at once, as Tropical Storm Chantal sends flood waters into Central North Carolina. Cantrell and Bermejo said they are prepared to handle both at once, because they know others are there to help. And while managing disaster relief is taxing, Bermejo shared how he keeps his resolve.

"If [there is] any reason for us to experience what we experienced after the hurricane, it probably is to transfer this knowledge to other people," Bermejo said. "For them to feel that they are not alone."