Blossman’s Strength Shines Amidst Hurricane Helene
When Hurricane Helene swept through the Southeast, it left a trail of devastation – damaged homes, power outages, and disrupted lives. But amid the chaos, Blossman Gas emerged as a source of aid, providing critical resources and support to communities in need.
Rapid Response to the Crisis
Blossman Gas acted swiftly to address the immediate needs of affected communities. Despite road closures and challenges accessing retail locations, the company deployed 36 propane-powered delivery trucks within a day of the hurricane striking North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia.
“Using the knowledge we have of our customers who might be in areas that would be flooded, we went ahead and picked up some tanks the day of the hurricane so that they didn’t float away,” explained Kory Ball, Branch Manager in Elizabethton, TN. “We acted on any phone calls that we received where there could be an issue with a tank and got to it as quick as possible.”
In Asheville and Hendersonville, North Carolina, Blossman’s branches, powered by onsite propane generators, filled more than 4,000 and 1,600 grill cylinders, respectively, within the first eight days after the storm. The company’s planning and readiness allowed it to support local, state, and federal agencies effectively during this critical time.
Meeting Residential and Commercial Needs
Blossman Gas focused on helping residents and businesses rebuild. The company deployed teams to deliver propane for heating, cooking, and temporary housing units. Blossman helped customers reset tanks, repair yard lines, and donated heating equipment. In Elizabethton, the company provided a single mother, Leslie Woods, with a new water heater, space heater, and reconnected her furnace at no cost after her home was flooded.
The Burnsville, NC, branch was one of the most heavily impacted. Manager Jason Rice described the community support efforts, which included providing generators and donating over 9,000 gallons of propane and cylinders for heat to those who had lost their homes and were living in tents or RVs. Burnsville also partnered with the local fire department to provide 100 free Warm Front Window Heaters with propane cylinders to families affected by the cold weather.
In a major relief effort, John Jessup, president and CEO of the Southeast Propane Alliance, partnered with Luke Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of the Missouri Propane Gas Association, to secure a portable 500-gallon propane dispenser for western North Carolina. On New Year’s Day, Fitzpatrick personally delivered the unit, driving 13 hours from Missouri to Asheville. The dispenser, deployed with the help of Blossman Gas to the Big Ivy Community Center, has been a lifeline for many still living in tents and campers due to extensive hurricane damage. Previously, the Burnsville Blossman branch was filling 75 to 100 propane cylinders per week for the affected community; now, with the portable dispenser, propane can be filled on-site, increasing efficiency and relief for those in need.
Supporting Employees and Communities
Blossman Gas employees showed exceptional care for their local communities. Team members from unaffected areas delivered generators and essential supplies to coworkers in disaster-stricken regions. Blossman’s research and development center in Asheville became a hub for distributing water, cleaning supplies, and food to employees and their families.
Pop-up showers and laundry facilities, powered by propane, were set up with the help of the Southeast Propane Alliance (SEPA) and Rinnai. These efforts provided comfort and essential services to employees and their families as they worked long hours to support recovery efforts.
Lessons Learned
Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Blossman has maintained a readiness plan that includes relocating vulnerable assets. This preparation minimized damage during Hurricane Helene, although the company lost one service vehicle and around 100 customer tanks. Moving forward, Blossman aims to enhance its disaster response by equipping all bulk plants with generators, maintaining spare vehicles, and coordinating additional technician support during emergencies.
“Gasoline stations were completely out of fuel, but our vehicles could stay on the road and not be concerned about running out of fuel,” noted Emily Willis, Blossman’s vice president of marketing and public relations. Propane-powered vehicles and generators enabled the company to operate efficiently and support recovery efforts when traditional fuel sources were unavailable.
As communities rebuild, Blossman Gas’s efforts highlight the importance of planning, teamwork, and innovation in disaster response. By stepping up during Hurricane Helene, the company not only provided critical energy solutions but also reinforced its commitment to the people it serves.
“I am incredibly proud of Region 30, especially the Asheville, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Boone, Waynesville, Elizabethton, Andersonville, and parts of Greenville teams, which were among the most affected branches by Hurricane Helene,” Area 30 Vice President Scott Prewitt stated.
“The resilience and strength demonstrated in these locations during such a difficult time were nothing short of extraordinary.
I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers who traveled from other branch locations to support the relief efforts. Their dedication, hard work, and compassion in the face of adversity were inspiring. Together, they all exemplified the power of teamwork and the unwavering commitment to helping those in need.
I want to thank everyone involved for making a meaningful difference during this challenging time.”