When Hurricane Helene ravaged western North Carolina seven months ago, Sherri Hughes was one of the many residents who lost everything: her apartment, car, clothing, and food. But that was just the latest hardship for Hughes. Five years ago, her adult son had passed away, right before COVID-19 hit and churches shut down.
“By myself, I was having to deal with the death of a child,” she recalled. “I started drinking heavily, for three years. And then the storm.”
After Hurricane Helene hit her town in September 2024, Hughes could see “nothing but water.” Although she had to stay with family and friends—and sometimes at a homeless shelter—Hughes helped deliver food and water to neighbors in need. But despair often surfaced for her, leading to panic attacks and fears of returning to alcohol.
RELATED: The Devastation From Hurricane Helene Is ‘Overwhelming’ but So Is the Neighborly Love
“How can you not praise Him!” Watch as @SamaritansPurse distributed replacement vehicles to victims of Hurricane Helene like Sherri Hughes who had lost theirs in the storm. pic.twitter.com/xdtI84r3AY
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 2, 2025
“I felt like I was looking up from the bottom of a deep well, and I couldn’t reach the top,” Hughes explained in a video posted by Samaritan’s Purse. She credited the organization, which provides disaster relief and spiritual care throughout the world, with showing her, “I’m not alone.”
Hurricane Helene Victim Is ‘Blessed Beyond Measure’
Samaritan’s Purse helped Hughes see she was not alone by providing her with a trailer to live in, a brand new car to drive, and a new Bible. A friend had encouraged her to reach out to the North Carolina-based group, and “Before I knew it, y’all showed up,” Hughes recalled. “And the blessings kept flying in.”
When Samaritan’s Purse presented Hughes with the life-changing gifts, she exclaimed, “I can breathe again!” Several times that day, she broke out into song, praising God and singing, “Look what you’ve done for me.”
