HANCOCK COUNTY, Ind. — The reality of Hurricane Helene's impact is growing more grim with each passing day.
Authorities confirm more than 200 people were killed. It's not clear right now how many people are missing or unaccounted for.
The widespread devastation has been complicating rescue and recovery efforts, but people across the country - including Hoosiers - are doing what they can to help.
Near Mount Comfort, relief was arriving from across the state Thursday as cars lined up at Indianapolis Regional Airport to pack planes with supplies. The aircraft are headed to North Carolina this weekend. Organizers say it's Hoosier hospitality taking flight, reaching far beyond state lines.
"We do what we can to help out and hopefully get some supplies to some people that need them in the affected areas," said pilot Jon Hubbell.
Event organizer Bailey Purvis said the need is great.
"It's hard. It gives me goosebumps because it's so ... it's worse than anybody can imagine. We're just trying to make sure that we can get to those hard-to-reach places that overall a car cannot at this point."
If you missed the opportunity to contribute to Thursday's donation drive, the Buck Creek Dire Department is still taking donations of things like hygiene products and food.
How you can help
- You can donate to the American Red Cross. You can donate money to help pay for supplies, but there is also a critical need for blood products. You can give $10 to the Red Cross by texting HELENE to 90999.
- The United Way has also created a special Helene Recovery donation page you can find here.
- Midwest Foodbank is encouraging donations to help provide supplies to people suffering across the southeastern United States.
FEMA has a list of the relief agencies working in all the affected states: