North Carolina’s Scotty McCreery Shares Heartbreak Over Hurricane Helene’s Impact: ‘It’s Tough To Find The Words’
McCreery and his wife, Gabi, are heartbroken by the devastation and encouraged people to help those impacted by donating to various organizations.
Scotty McCreery with wife Gabi; Photo via Instagram
North Carolina native Scotty McCreery is encouraging his fans to assist those in need following the devastation that Hurricane Helene left in its path.
The chart-topping star took to social media on Thursday to share various organizations that are in need of donations in an effort to provide aid to survivors fo the storm.
In his emotional message, McCreery shared the heartbreak that he and his wife, Gabi, are feeling after witnessing the destruction in nearby communities.
“It’s tough to find the words, but Gabi and I have been so sad to see the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene,” he wrote. “This storm has affected so many people, many of them are our personal friends and neighbors. I see a lot of you asking on here how to help those in need in Western North Carolina, East Tennessee Southwestern Virginia, Georgia, and Florida.”
McCreery urged people who are able to help to considering donating to Samaritan’s Purse, Greater Good Music, or Baptists On Misson and commended the agencies for the “amazing work” they are doing to assist the communities in need.
The North Carolina mountains in particular hold a special place in the singer/songwriter’s heart.
“These mountains are where Gabi and I got engaged, and where we got married. These mountains are where I wrote my last album,” he explained.
McCreery and his wife even named their son Avery after Avery County, where they currently reside.
“The views are amazing, but the people there are what make these mountains so special and those people need our help,” he shared in closing.
McCreery’s message comes as search and recovery efforts in the areas impacted by the storm continue.
According to NBC News, at least 202 people have now been confirmed dead as a result of the horrific storm. The publication reports that over 50% of these deaths came from North Carolina and are attributed to flooding and fast-moving water.
Hundreds of people remain missing. Close to 1,000 active-duuty soldiers are joining in the search efforts, along with the North Carolina National guard.
McCreery isn’t the only country artist from North Carolina who has spoken out about the situation in the Tar Heel State. Earlier this week, Eric Church encouraged his fans to donate to the Red Cross.
“These are our family members, friends, and neighbors. The community we live in part of the year still has people stranded and desperate for extraction. The whole area is in dire need of help,” he wrote. “Anyone who knows anything about me knows what North Carolina and specifically this area in the mountains means to me personally as well as creatively.”
Luke Combs, who grew up in Western North Carolina promised that he’s putting together “something really special” to help those in need and admitted that he was “absolutely heartbroken” over the devastation.
Meanwhile, Chase Rice shared that he was in contact with Combs and promised to do anything he could do to help.
Other artists, like Chris Janson, have taken the time to aid in recovery efforts by donating food and supplies to the areas impacted.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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