Press release - Series
October 5, 2024
ABC News’ Special Coverage ‘Southeast Strong: Help After Helene’ Continues Through the Weekend and Into Next Week
‘GMA’ Saturday and Sunday, ABC News Live, ‘GMA,’ ‘GMA3: What You Need To Know’ and More Will Feature Coverage and Reporting From the Storm’s Path of Destruction and Highlight the People and Organizations Working to Provide Relief
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, ABC News launched a five-day initiative, “Southeast Strong: Help After Helene” (#SoutheastStrongABC), which kicked off on “Good Morning America” Friday, and aims to spotlight communities across the southeast impacted by the hurricane as well as their recovery efforts. ABC News correspondents Will Reeve, Morgan Norwood and WTVD Raleigh reporter Tamara Scott led coverage from Asheville, North Carolina, Friday morning.
The coverage continues with Gio Benitez co-anchoring the “GMA” Saturday and Sunday broadcasts from Asheville, and the 24/7 streaming news network ABC News Live will continue to provide extensive reporting throughout the weekend as well. Additional reporting will continue from the region on “GMA” with chief meteorologist and chief climate correspondent Ginger Zee and “GMA3” co-anchor Eva Pilgrim. The weekday broadcasts will feature more donations and surprises.
Sunday’s episode of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” will feature Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Deanne Criswell, who will join the conversation live from North Carolina to discuss the agency’s ongoing efforts and challenges.
Since making landfall, ABC News Live has been actively covering Hurricane Helene and will continue to air “Southeast Strong” segments, including interviews with lawmakers, storm victims and others affected by the hurricane, highlighting how communities are coming together during this difficult time.
On Monday and Tuesday, “GMA3: What You Need to Know” will showcase powerful stories of resilience and community support. On Monday, the program will highlight Josh Copus, a small business owner from Marshall, North Carolina, who is helping clear debris in his town. On Tuesday, the show will showcase two inspiring restaurant owners in Georgia who are providing food to their community. Later in the week, a special Faith Friday segment will feature the pastor of First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and explore the impact of faith on community healing.
ABC News Digital will highlight the ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, including an ongoing live blog, ways to help those impacted by the storm, profiles of everyday heroes, voices of residents in the storm zone, and insights into the political implications of this devastating natural disaster.
Additionally, “Southeast Strong” will be featured in ABC News Audio’s weekly newsmagazine, “Perspective,” discussing the charities and relief efforts underway in the area. ABC News Radio will also feature mentions of the initiative in hourly newscasts.
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ABC News Media Relations
Brooks Lancaster
brooks.lancaster@abc.com
Jordan Littlejohn
jordan.littlejohn@abc.com
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