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CHATTANOOGA, TN. (mocsnews.com)- North Carolina was struck by Hurricane Helene, a devastating Category 4 hurricane, on September 24, 2024. Caught unaware, North Carolina suffered severe damage across the western part of the state, and the mountain topography caused many mudslides and left multiple roads damaged or washed away.
Hurricane Helene was one of the worst storms the Southeast has faced in years, and North Carolina was blindsided by the force of the storm. Residents are still coping with the aftermath of Helene, and many people are facing mental and physical hardships.
“There was a physical toll, an emotional toll. Unless you’ve been through it, you can’t understand.” Chris Jennings, who runs a non-profit organization called Community Kitchen which helps supply those in need with food with his wife Allison, told USA Today in an interview.
Many North Carolina residents lost everything important to them. People lost their homes, belongings, source of income, and in a lot of cases- family members. This storm has made life difficult for so many residents, especially when it comes to mentally coping.
Rachel Chatham, a licensed mental health counselor who’s been practicing in Asheville, North Carolina for over 10 years, says that being able to talk about the catastrophe that struck is the first sign of healing. According to Chatham, a lot of people tend to repress their emotions, but taking that first step in talking about their struggles can help the community heal as a whole.
Still, seven weeks after Helene ravaged the mountainous, western region of North Carolina there are still people missing. According to WFMY News, there are still 10 people missing from five counties in North Carolina.
As of October 31, two people were still missing in Avery County. As of November 4, three cases of missing persons were still active in Buncombe County. Both Mitchell County and Watauga County have one missing person. Yancey County still has three cases of active missing persons.
Hurricane Helene damaged over 100,000 homes and 6,000 miles of road through western North Carolina. Multiple nonprofits across the region are aiding the residents who suffered in the mountainous regions.
Charity Honeycutt, one of the co-founders of the non-profit Mountain Strong, told ABC 11 that even a month after Helene, residents are still facing major setbacks. A lot of residents have lost their homes, cars, or in some cases both. If they can make it to the distribution center, then they face the challenge of getting the resources back to their home.
There is a lot of aid pouring into North Carolina after Helene. Local non-profits are helping the communities affected hands-on. The state government has signed off on one measure to aid with flooding and damages. This measure was passed in hopes of providing $604 million to relief funds across the state.
“As North Carolina continues to recover from the devastation caused by Helene, the North Carolina House of Representatives remains committed to ensuring the people of western North Carolina have what they need to rebuild and recover.” Said House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland in an interview with ABC 11.
North Carolina is officially open for tourism, and right in time for the holidays. If you or someone you know plan on going to western North Carolina to celebrate the holidays, don’t hesitate to book the trip. However, while some communities are still rebuilding it is important to acknowledge that it takes time to fully rebuild after a catastrophic event like Helene.
When you book that holiday trip to North Carolina, don’t forget to shop local and aid their local economy to help with Hurricane Helene relief.
