Video: Helene survivors in North Carolina face financial devastation

By Staff Reports

May 30, 2025

Ben Wilson and Natasha Tafelcski suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to their home and property when Hurricane Helene swept through their community in Haywood County last fall.

In the seven months since Helene, debris remains scattered throughout their property, which Wilson showed Cardinal and Pine during a recent visit.

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So far they’ve received a $12,000 check from FEMA, which Wilson says doesn’t begin to cover the costs. He fears he won’t receive any more money.

“We’re not even kind of made whole. We’re not even made half. We’re not made ten percent of what we lost,” he explained.

To see more of our conversation with Wilson and other members of the western North Carolina community, watch our Hurricane Helene update on YouTube.

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