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Panthers' David Tepper, Wife Nicole Donate $3M to Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 28, 2024

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 01: Carolina Panthers Owner David Tepper speaks with the media as the Carolina Panthers introduce Canales as their new Head Coach at Bank of America Stadium on February 01, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
David Jensen/Getty Images

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife, Nicole, donated $3 million through their charitable foundation toward the Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

"This is our home and we are committed to supporting relief efforts throughout the region by providing critical resources and aiding the efforts of our heroic first responders," the Teppers said, per Mike Kaye of the News & Observer. "The impact on our community has been severe, but Carolinians are resilient and courageous, and together, we will rebuild and recover."

Kaye wrote the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation will work with local food banks, community foundations and other aid-related organizations to help the Carolinas recover from the massive storm.

Helene was a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall in Florida and has devastated the Southeast region. At least six people have died in North Carolina, per CNN's Dalia Faheid.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper cautioned residents to remain safe despite the state no longer being in the path of the hurricane.

"This is one of the worst storms in modern history for parts of western North Carolina," he said. "The end of the rain is not the end of the threat."

Particularly on the western side of North Carolina, significant flooding has swamped some roadways and raised the danger of possible landslides.

NCDOT @NCDOT

As of this morning, over 400 roads remain closed in NC. All roads in Western NC should be considered closed. <br><br>Remember: As crews work to clear and inspect roads and bridges, please give them room. <br><br>Go to <a href="https://t.co/AGDVnBcrXk">https://t.co/AGDVnBcrXk</a> for the latest road information. <a href="https://t.co/0XkeU3HErA">pic.twitter.com/0XkeU3HErA</a>

Baker Perry @BakerPerry1

Catastrophic impacts from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Helene?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Helene</a> in western NC and eastern TN with major roads impassable due to flooding, washouts, and trees. Photos from northern Avery County (NC) where local fire departments are completely isolated. <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSGSP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NWSGSP</a> <a href="https://t.co/x6enJqk6X4">pic.twitter.com/x6enJqk6X4</a>

NCDOT @NCDOT

🚨 REMINDER: π˜Όπ™‡π™‡ π™π™Šπ˜Όπ˜Ώπ™Ž in Western North Carolina should be considered π˜Ύπ™‡π™Šπ™Žπ™€π˜Ώ.<br><br>I-40 and I-26 are impassable in multiple locations.<br><br>⚠️ Travel in this area for non-emergency purposes is hindering needed emergency response.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ncwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ncwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Helene?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Helene</a> <a href="https://t.co/jtK2ZMJW9T">pic.twitter.com/jtK2ZMJW9T</a>

The website PowerOutage.us has recorded more than 670,000 people in North Carolina of being without power as well.

On Friday, Cooper asked for a "Major Disaster Declaration" from the federal government for 39 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to widen the resources available for hurricane recovery.