Ferrellgas Helping Communities Recover After Hurricane Helene

Ferrellgas is no stranger to helping communities recover following natural disasters. We’re proud to have a nationwide supply network that allows us to shift assets and employees to hard-hit areas so we can deliver the propane impacted communities need. We also partner with Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) as part of the Ferrellgas Century Project to make the world an even better place. We provide the propane the organization uses to fuel its grills and smokers so it can serve hot barbecue meals to people who’ve been impacted by natural disasters and continue to provide propane to various charities and organizations helping with disaster recovery after the storms. Read on to learn how Ferrellgas assisted in parts of the southeast following Hurricane Helene.  

Absolute Devastation 

In the wake of the storm, Ferrellgas leaders immediately started assessing the damage in the communities we serve. Thankfully, our service locations fared well, and employees worked quickly to get them back up and running. Ferrellgas was one of the only propane companies that was able to make deliveries in many affected areas, and our customers were especially grateful. “There was one woman who was in tears when we arrived,” said Ty T., a Plant Supervisor in Ohio, who traveled to the Carolinas to help after the storm. “A large tree limb had fallen on her house. It tore off part of the porch and shifted her propane tank out of place. Thankfully, there was no damage to the tank, so we got it set up safely so she could use her fireplace again. She was so grateful to have heat in her house.”  

Sadly, a lack of heat, power, and clean water were major concerns across the region. “The areas that weren’t hit by flash flooding were impacted by the wind,” said Ty. “The wind knocked down everything in the mountains, including water lines and power lines.”  

Account Manager Matt D. describes seeing entire towns washed away. “There is just nothing left,” he said. “It is going to take so long for these communities to recover… The unrelenting rain set this storm apart. I’ve never seen anything like it.”  Safety Training Manager Gene G. said, “You can replace material things, but to see that kind of loss of life. It breaks your heart.”  

Some of our employees’ homes were also damaged by the storm, but fortunately, they are all okay. “You had people working 18-hour days doing everything they could to get propane to our customers. And at the end of the day, they’d return home to their own house that was damaged, some without water or power themselves. Then they’d get up the next morning and do it all over again. If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is,” said Matt.   

Recovery Begins 

Immediately following the storm, Matt and other Ferrellgas employee-owners reached out to community members to be sure they had what they needed to get by. Teams from several regions of the country responded to do whatever they could to kickstart recovery. Our company set a tank outside a hospital, so employees there could do their laundry. “They essentially weren’t allowed to leave. They were working all day every day. They needed clean clothes, and we were glad to help,” said Matt. 

Ferrellgas also set a tank outside a restaurant in downtown Asheville so they could serve thousands of meals a day to people who were impacted by the hurricane. David B., a Service Technician, added, “We also set a tank at a temporary FEMA camp site so they could cook food for their employees.” 

It was incredible to see how our team members stepped up, working alongside others in the community to provide relief and support during such a critical time. The dedication and compassion of everyone involved made a meaningful difference, showing the true spirit of service and resilience in action. 

Serving Meals to Those in Need 

When it comes to disaster recovery, a freshly made hot meal is so important. Ferrellgas and Blue Rhino propane fuels Operation BBQ Relief’s (OBR’s) grills and smokers. The organization deployed to multiple states in the southeast following hurricanes Helene and Milton, serving 1,394,700 Meals in 34 Days to people in need. Stan Hays, the co-founder of OBR, believes in the healing power of barbecue, especially when it comes to helping people who’ve been impacted by a natural disaster. Several of our team members also volunteered to serve meals with OBR, offering direct support to impacted communities.  

Blue Rhino plays a key role when it comes to disaster recovery. Many portable generators run on grilling-sized tanks, so they were in high demand after the storm. Our crews worked around the clock to make sure stores were stocked. Ferrellgas even opened some locations so customers could have their grill tanks refilled, just in case they couldn’t find one at the store. And of course, Blue Rhino propane fuels grills, so people can cook hot meals for their families, even if they don’t have power.  

Continuing Recovery 

Ferrellgas, along with its propane exchange brand, Blue Rhino, continues to look for ways to help people impacted by Hurricane Helene. Our team based in the Carolinas is still working tirelessly to get our customers the propane they need. In addition to our ongoing support of Operation BBQ Relief, we have supplied propane to several other charities supporting disaster recovery in Western North Carolina, including United Carolinas Cavalry, United Cajun Navy, Operation Airdrop, and Savage Freedoms Disaster Relief. We are proud to support these organizations that are helping bring critical resources to communities in need. 

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastating storm. The road to recovery will take time. We are humbled to provide portable, affordable, versatile propane to people in their time of need. As part of the Ferrellgas Century Project, we strive to make the world a better place every day. Helping the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene—and those affected by other recent storms like Hurricane Milton—is one small way we’re doing that. 

Supporting Recovery Together