Coastal retailers, wholesalers rebuild in aftermath of Hurricane Helene

The Category 4 hurricane caused flooding and other damages across the Southeast.

Retailers in the South from Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and Tennessee are cleaning up and evaluating damages in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The hurricane made landfall Sept. 26 in northwestern Florida as a Category 4 storm, and high winds and heavy rains wrecked havoc on much of the Southeast.

According to a report from the Associated Press (AP), Helene prompted hurricane and flash flood warnings extending far beyond the coast. As of Oct. 3, President Biden has approved federal disaster assistance that is available for survivors in designated counties in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Some coastal retailers and wholesalers across the Southeast have experienced flooding and damages due to the hurricane’s effects.

Lindsay Lacasse, manager at Overhead Surf Shop in Madeira Beach, Florida, has started a GoFundMe to raise money to help rebuild the Overhead Surf Shop along with two sister stores Things, etc. and Windworks as well as support the stores’ 20 employees. Lacasse says over 3 feet of water filled each of the storefronts. Although the stores were damaged, she notes that employees were all safe.

“Much like a lot of our friends and neighbors, Hurricane Helene has devastated our little family of businesses across John’s Pass in Madeira Beach, Florida,” she writes on the GoFundMe page.

“While efforts have already begun to clean each shop, it’s tough to say when we will see a thriving, bustling ‘village’ once again. Things, etc. and Windworks have been a staple at John’s Pass for over 40 years, and Overhead Surf Shop is to celebrate its 20th birthday this December.”

Pirani Life, a wholesale vendor of sustainable tumblers in Asheville, North Carolina, shared that it has had to suspend operations in the aftermath of the hurricane flooding and damages as of early October.

"We’re relieved to let you know that the Pirani team is safe, though deeply shaken,” the company writes on its Instagram. “Our co-founders have left Asheville temporarily to reconnect with the world as our beloved city is still without power, water and cellphone service, and gas fuel is scarce. Our warehouse in Black Mountain is expected not to have water for a month. The surrounding areas have been devastated, with many still without basic necessities. We ask for your patience as orders will be delayed until we can safely resume operations.”

In addition to businesses, retailers and wholesalers have shared that their homes have taken damage due to the storm. Chelsea McMillan, owner of Florida-based apparel brand Sunshine State, shared on her company’s Instagram account that her parent’s home in Clearwater Beach took on 4 feet of water and muck.

“We have been trying 24/7 to go through 48-years-worth of salvageable items so that the restoration people can get in,” she writes.

Heart on Main Street, a nonprofit focused on helping independent retailers, has set up a Hurricane Helene Relief Fund to help small businesses impacted by the hurricane. Heart on Main Street says donations will be used to cover repair costs, replace lost inventory and provide financial assistance.

Many seaside retailers have also started fundraisers and donation drives to help victims of Hurricane Helene as well.

Coastal Elements, a coastal-themed gift shop in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, posted on Instagram. that it held a donation drive to help with hurricane relief efforts the first week of October. The retailer wrote that it gave customers 10% off select items if they made a donation.

The Christmas Shop in the Outer Banks also shared that it was accepting nonperishable donations at the store to help neighbors in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. The store has been accepting cleaning supplies, hygiene products, baby supplies and other nonperishables to help storm victims.

“While we’ve been uncertain of how to best lend a hand, we’re now collecting these much-needed supplies and will ensure they are sent down to those in need,” the company says on Instagram. “Every contribution helps.”