One Year After Helene, NC Recovery Lags

Hurricane Helene struck on Sept. 27, 2024, and its remnants produced catastrophic inland flooding across western North Carolina that killed at least 108 people and damaged or destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, leaving many residents displaced. One year later, massive volunteer and nonprofit efforts are driving recovery — Baptists on Mission operated a Greensboro hub that prepared roughly 500,000 meals, logged about 150,000 volunteer miles and has completed roughly 512 home repairs — but leaders say full recovery will take years and more skilled volunteers. State and federal work has reopened many parks and attractions and restored key routes — a 26-mile segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway and sections of I‑40 are back open — and water systems are about 96% back online as the state invests in microgrids to harden power. Despite progress, rural communities remain cut off by destroyed private bridges and roads, some homes still inaccessible to ambulances and fire crews, and residents report ongoing PTSD and daily hardship. Local reporting and photo essays from Chimney Rock to Burnsville show a mix of resilience and need: parks and attractions are reopening and new homes are being built, but long-term funding, skilled tradespeople and infrastructure repairs are urgently required to finish recovery and restore full access and safety.