Communities across Southwest Virginia depend on United Way of Southwest Virginia to mobilize quickly after disaster strikes to meet immediate needs and assist in long-term recovery. Such has been the case in Hurley, Va., following the floods of August, 2021.
To donate to the Hurley Long Term Recovery Fund, contact Cristie Lester at 276-525-4071, or email donations@unitedwayswva.org.
United Way of Southwest Virginia has the capacity, experience, and working relationships to provide resources needed for relief and recovery.
Hurley, Virginia experienced catastrophic flooding and landslides destroying multiple homes. Immediately following rescue and recovery operations, United Way of Southwest Virginia activated the Disaster Relief Fund for Hurley with seed funding from the American Electric Power Foundation on September 1, 2021.
Today, a year later, that fund is still active and accepting donations. Following the Federal Emergency Management Agency's decision to decline to offer individual assistance to homeowners in Hurley over the winter, the Virginia General Assembly stepped in to authorize $11.4 million in funding to be administered through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. As DHCD develops its system for distributing those funds, UWSWVA is working to braid those funds with them. Currently the Hurley fund has spent around $250,000 and has allocated almost $750,000 more to individual homeowners in Hurley.
All donations go directly to provide support for those impacted by the Hurley disaster.
Hurley Relief Resources

Hurley Long Term Recovery Group
Questions?
Send a message to our donations team or call 276-628-2160
Volunteering
How do I volunteer to help in the repair and rebuilding efforts in Hurley?
Volunteers are being coordinated locally through Mountain Mission School. Please call 276-935-2954 for volunteer-related questions.
Long Term Recovery Group Member Roster
Bob Anderson, Executive Director, Buchanan County Public Service Authority
Jim Baldwin, Executive Director, Cumberland Gap Planning District Commission
Wanda Beery, Alumni Relations, Mountain Mission School
Buckey Blankenship, Church Administrator, Harman Memorial Baptist Church
Brandee Brown, Executive Director, YMCA of Buchanan County
Tommy Casteel, former Regional Director, Virginia Department of Social Services
Bart Chambers, Buchanan County Building Official and Emergency Management Coordinator
Chad Cole, Asstistant Residency Administrator, VDOT
Melvena Counts, Executive Assistant, United Way of Southwest Virginia
Jeff Mansour, Program Director, Thompson Charitable Foundation
Denise McGeorge, Case Manager, Buchanan County DSS
Debbie Milton, Senior Planner, Cumberland Gap Planning District Commission
Chris Mitchell, President, Mountain Mission School
Bob Reece, former President and CEO, Grundy National Bank
John Rife, Owner, Rife TV
Scott Robertson, Director of Marketing and Communications, United Way of Southwest Virginia
Travis Staton, President and CEO, United Way of Southwest Virginia
Julie Thompson, Assistant Director of New Build, Appalachia Service Project
Marci Watson, Director, Buchanan County Department of Social Services
211 Direct Assistance
If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call 211 or visit 211virginia.org