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Record NC Snowfall Hits Hurricane-Struck Towns: How NC MedAssist is Providing Free Medicine Amid Extreme Cold

As record-breaking snow and sub-freezing temperatures grip Western North Carolina, NC MedAssist and local health workers are bridging the gap for families forced to choose between groceries and medication.

News

Extreme Weather

Staff with NC MedAssist, a charitable pharmacy in Charlotte, North Carolina, prepare shipments of medicine as part of Hurricane Helene response efforts. The pharmacy continues to provide medications to communities impacted by recent winter weather. (Photo by David Uttley for Direct Relief)
By Olivia Lewis

Parts of North Carolina saw record-breaking snowfall of 12 inches or more over the last few weeks, and in some areas, more wintry mix is predicted.

The unprecedented winter weather has caused school and business closures while limiting mobility for residents. The cold temperatures can be an added stressor, especially for residents in the state’s western region who have endured back-to-back weather events, including Hurricane Helene and summer wildfires. The region has yet to bounce back economically, and social service organizations say they’re working with the statewide nonprofit NC MedAssist to help residents afford basic needs like over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers and cough medications.

NC MedAssist is a statewide nonprofit pharmacy. They ship medications directly to patients of federally qualified health centers, health departments, and nonprofits through its Free Pharmacy Program. The nonprofit also ships medication care packages that include over-the-counter medications to over 200 regional community partners to distribute through the Delivering Hope WNC program.

Staff with NC MedAssist, a charitable pharmacy in Charlotte, North Carolina, prepare shipments of medicine on Oct. 7, 2024, as part of Hurricane Helene response efforts. The pharmacy continues to provide medications to communities impacted by recent winter weather. (Photo by David Uttley for Direct Relief)

From January 30 to February 1, some counties saw sub-freezing temperatures for over a week, according to North Carolina’s Climate Office through North Carolina State University. When temperatures drop below 32 degrees, social services are mobilized to provide blankets, utility assistance, warm spaces, and overnight shelters to help people during extreme cold.

Daniel Szemple, manager of partner relations at NC MedAssist, said the pharmacy filled 80 pharmacy requests in January, or nearly $100,000 in medications. Szemple said that’s an increase from 56 orders one year prior. The pharmacy is gearing up for another bump in requests as prolonged cold temperatures cause increased heat bills, and squeeze household budgets—forcing people to make difficult decisions about their health care.

“There’s more of a need with it being cold and flu season. People (need) to have access to at-home over-the-counter medicine,” Szemple said. “We often say that being able to have medicine in your medicine cabinet at home really is going to be one of those things that ultimately saves people’s lives.”

One of those people who has seen the firsthand impact of NC MedAssist’s work is Jacque Ballard. She’s a community health worker at four clinics within the Hot Springs Health Program through the Madison County Health Department.

Staff with NC MedAssist, a charitable pharmacy in Charlotte, North Carolina, speak with patients about over-the-counter medications. The pharmacy continues to provide medications to communities impacted by recent winter weather. (Photo by David Uttley for Direct Relief)

Prior to Hurricane Helene, Madison County’s population was just over 21,600 people. The area’s median household income was $58,628, but the ongoing extreme weather has worsened economic conditions.

Now, over-the-counter medications, antidepressants, and antibiotics, even with discounted prices, are out of reach for many.

Ballard said the weather conditions limited resident mobility and have only added stress to families that are already making difficult financial decisions. She said residents have been traumatized by the events.

“If your whole house is washed away, so is your medicine cabinet. And replacing all of that is expensive,” said Jacque Ballard. “A lot of people, most of the people that I work with, have a hard time getting $5 for a prescription, much less paying $10-15 for cold medicine for their kid.”

The community health worker recounted a time a mother had $10 for the remainder of the week and had to choose between purchasing groceries or medication for her sick child.

Direct Relief staff delivered medical support to NC MedAssist, a charitable pharmacy in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of Hurricane Helene response efforts. NC MedAssist ships medications across the state, primarily to patients who are uninsured, and has continued to ship medications to patients impacted by severe winter weather. (Photo by David Uttley for Direct Relief)

“When the doctor says you need (medication), or your child needs it, and you know you don’t have the money, that is so stressful,” said Ballard.

She said the mom approached them for help, and with support from NC MedAssist, Ballard was able to help the woman.

Ballard was introduced to NC MedAssist through community engagement work. The community health worker said the over-the-counter medications they provide are “spot on” for what residents are requesting.

“When I see NC MedAssist at different events, I always stop and tell people what a blessing it is because they’re helping one person at a time with one bottle of Tylenol,” Ballard said.

Direct Relief has supported NC MedAssist with more than $1.4 million in medication assistance since Jan.1, 2026.

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