West NY News

Chautauqua County's airports are playing a key role in delivering supplies and donations to North Carolina and Florida following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The county is urging residents to contribute necessary items, which will be transported by local pilots, aviation partners, and volunteers.

County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. has been monitoring the hurricanes' impact on smaller counties in North Carolina and Florida. He initiated relief efforts from Chautauqua County to address the devastation.

Shannon Fischer, the county's Manager of Airports, is working with aviation partners to deliver essential supplies and financial donations. These contributions help cover fuel costs for volunteer aircraft flying into affected areas like Avery County Airport (7A8).

Located in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, Avery County Airport is now a donation collection center. Small planes are bringing goods in, while helicopters distribute them to isolated areas.

"The people in North Carolina have been hit incredibly hard by Hurricane Helene," Fischer said after discussions with the Chairman of the Airport Authority for Avery County Airport. "We’re working closely with our Fixed Based Operator (FBO), Centric Aviation, and our Flight School, Great Lakes Flight Center to coordinate with local pilots, and available resources to get donations where they are needed most."

Avery County Airport has become a hub of relief activity with over 150 planes arriving daily and consuming 12,000 gallons of aviation fuel in six days. Goods are inventoried and stored until distribution.

Efforts are also underway to assist Florida through Sol Relief, a nonprofit organization based at Albert Whitted Airport (SPG) in St. Petersburg. Sol Relief collaborates with local pilots to distribute essential supplies and aid those severely impacted by hurricanes.

Chautauqua County has established donation centers at Jamestown Airport (JHW) and Dunkirk Airport (DKK) for urgently needed items such as propane grills, generators, heating systems, chain saw chains, generator plugs, electric wires, cold weather gear, solar heating units, large storage containers, and solar showers.

"We have local flight school pilots ready to fly items down," Fischer explained. "But there’s a weight limit on small planes, so we're also exploring truck shipments for larger items."

"This is a time to come together," said County Executive Wendel. "The people affected by Hurricanes are in dire need of help. I’m proud of how our community is responding."

Monetary donations are also important to offset transportation costs. Donations can be sent directly to the Avery County Airport Authority:

Avery County Airport Authority

C/O Samuel Calvert (Chairman)

202 Little Cow Camp Rd

Newland, NC 28657

For questions about assisting the county airports in hurricane relief efforts contact Shannon Fischer at 716-661-8930.