Christmas tree growers discuss their work during the recovery from Hurricane Helene
Christmas Tree Farmers Revived After Helen’s Impact In September 2024, Tropical Storm Helen wreaked havoc across western North Carolina, leaving many Christmas tree farmers grappling with severe losses. One farmer reported a staggering loss of tens of thousands of trees and damages reaching into the millions. Boone, North Carolina – Flooding from the storm not […]
A year after facing Hurricane Helene, this women’s basketball team is prepared to compete
JOHNSON CITY, TN— Tinesha Lewis is stepping into her second season as a head coach at UNC Asheville, and she’s feeling a sense of gratitude. As she prepares for the 2025-26 season, there’s a clear routine in place. They know their practice schedule and where it will take place. After intensive training sessions, the players […]
A year after Helene: Asheville heals, marked by challenges yet strong
Recovery in Asheville One Year After Hurricane Helen It’s tough to provide a straightforward answer about Asheville a year after Hurricane Helen hit. There have been some improvements—certain infrastructures have been rebuilt, businesses are reopening, and many hiking trails have been cleared. But the signs of the storm linger—there are remnants of homes and lives […]
Volunteer pilots carry out rescues and deliver donations following Helene.
The Volunteer Pilot Reflects on His First Year Since Helen It’s been a year since Hurricane Helen hit, disrupting communication and cutting off vital services like electricity and water in parts of western North Carolina. In those early days, small aircraft and helicopters became crucial for rescue efforts and delivering donations. Time has passed, but […]
North Carolina family reflects on Helene a year after their home was flooded by the storm
The WNC Family Reflects on the Year Post-Hurricane Helen Nearly a year has passed since Hurricane Helen wreaked havoc in western North Carolina. Many families, including the Kiel family, faced significant losses, including their homes, vehicles, and jobs due to the severe destruction. In Burnsville, North Carolina, the aftermath of Hurricane Helen, which was downgraded […]
Western North Carolina recovers after the damage from Hurricane Helene
Reflecting on Hurricane Helen’s Impact in Appalachia It’s been nearly a year since Hurricane Helen hit western North Carolina and the southern Appalachians. As someone who grew up in the area, those memories are still fresh. The devastation was immense—catastrophic floods, landslides everywhere, and infrastructure breaks that had serious consequences, like closed highways and cell […]
Western North Carolina recovers from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene
Reflection on Hurricane Helen’s Impact Almost a year has passed since Hurricane Helen wreaked havoc in western North Carolina and southern Appalachia, but it still feels so recent. As someone who grew up in the area, I vividly recall the catastrophic flooding, numerous landslides, and the chaos that followed—everything from closed interstates to disrupted cell […]
FEMA allocates $124 million for road repairs and infrastructure in Helene
Funding for Hurricane Helen Relief Announced This week, the Department of Homeland Security unveiled additional funding aimed at Hurricane Helen relief, with a significant allocation announced by Executive Director Kristi Noem. Starting Sunday, a new $28 million allocation will be available, augmenting the total FEMA funding to $124 million. This comes in response to the […]
North Carolina residents challenge unlawful mine while recovering from Hurricane Helene
Community Concern Over Illegal Mining in North Carolina Residents of Poplar, North Carolina, are increasingly frustrated with illegal mining operations that have led to river pollution and thick dust clouds, especially as the area continues to recover from Hurricane Helen. A court hearing in Boone on Monday will decide the fate of Horizon 30, LLC, […]
Western North Carolina continues to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Suwan Nanoa, North Carolina – It’s been a little over 10 months since Hurricane Helen hit western North Carolina, and the area is starting to feel livable again. “For months, all I could see was dirt through a 2×4,” shares Vince Floriani, an elementary school teacher and homeowner. “You might not see much now, but […]