More than a year after Helene tore through western NC, a state lawmaker talks about the lack of recovery funding from the state and federal governments.
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18 months after Helene, this western NC lawmaker is still fighting for funding to rebuild
Western North Carolina has received less than 20% of the $60 billion needed to recover from Hurricane Helene.
‘In a very bad place’: A western NC county’s wait for federal Helene reimbursement
Henderson County in western NC has spent millions on storm damage, but local leaders say they’re still waiting for federal Helene reimbursement from the Trump administration.
NC receives $75.8M for childcare recovery from Helene. How to apply
The money will support childcare recovery after more than 230 childcare facilities were impacted by Helene and more than 100 childcare facilities were impacted by Debby.
A new Helene documentary premieres in North Carolina this weekend
A new Helene documentary, “Air Angels: Flight Helene,” tells the story of North Carolina residents who used their private planes and resources to help out after Helene devastated western NC.
Good News Friday: Signs of life in Asheville’s River Arts District after Helene
Asheville’s popular River Arts District—and the many businesses within it—sustained major damage during Helene. But there are numerous signs of a rebirth. Plus, more good news from around North Carolina.
Federal government releases $116 million in new Helene recovery funds for North Carolina
North Carolina is set to receive $116 million in new Helene recovery funding after weeks of complaints from state leaders about delays from the Trump administration.
NC ski industry hopes for snow to power Helene comeback
Helene was devastating for tourism for the western NC ski industry. Locals are hoping for big snow in 2026 to help make a comeback.
NC funnels $50 million to Helene repair projects that don’t qualify for FEMA
Many Helene repairs did not qualify for FEMA funds, so North Carolina leaders are expected to spend $50 million through 80 grants in western NC.
NC to launch Helene housing repair and rebuilding program in early 2026
Helene housing repair programs in NC will focus on single-family housing, multi-family housing, and workforce housing beginning in early 2026, Gov. Josh Stein says.
3 things happening in NC: Christmas comes early, Helene relief, and Black poetry
Every week, we curate three things happening in NC worth your attention. This week, Christmas comes early, a historic western NC airstrip recovers from Helene, and Black poets send a love letter to their city.
Post-Helene, Hendersonville art auction has ‘best year so far’
The western NC town of Hendersonville, one of many communities still recovering after Helene rolled through in 2024, shattered their fundraising record this weekend for the “Bearfootin” Auction.
Good News Friday: Volunteers rebuild Marshall church after Helene
This week’s Good News Friday features an inspiring story from western North Carolina, where residents helped to rebuild a Marshall church after Helene.
“Absolutely unacceptable”: FEMA yet to approve any North Carolina homeowners’ request for Helene buyout program
“It’s absolutely unacceptable. My team and I are asking FEMA, ‘What’s the hold up?'” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said of the news.
Despite Helene, Readers Digest named this North Carolina city the ‘Nicest Place in America’
Helene hit Ashevile especially hard last year, but a new list from Readers Digest named the western NC city the “nicest place in America.”
Video: Western NC mayor describes urgent need for more funding for Helene recovery
Fletcher Mayor Preston Blakely, whose western NC community was hit hard by Helene, says they desperately needs the federal relief funds sitting in Washington.
Government shutdown halts disaster aid for western North Carolina farmers impacted by Helene
Agricultural losses accounted for around $5 billion of the roughly $60 billion in Helene damage. Here’s how the federal government shutdown will make it harder for North Carolina farmers to recover.
Video: Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers says western North Carolina residents ‘the true badasses’ after Helene
One year after Helene devastated western North Carolina, local mayor Zeb Smathers talks about the hard road to recovery.
I visited western NC for the first time since Helene. Here are 10 things to do now that it’s reopening
Some parts of western NC are open and ready for business, a year after Helene devastated the area. Start planning your weekend trip with these recommendations.
Video: Mitchell County pastor gets emotional reflecting on Hurricane Helene
On the anniversary of Helene’s rampage in western North Carolina, a conversation with one Mitchell County pastor on ruin and recovery.
A year after Helene devastated their towns, western NC leaders discuss the road to recovery
Local leaders face significant challenges and argue Washington and Raleigh could do more to help them recover from the $60 billion storm.
On North Carolina’s rivers and streams, the cleanup of Helene’s fury seems never-ending
How first Helene and then the cleanup battered the ecosystem in western North Carolina.
One year after Helene, NC program teaches students resilience
As the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s devastating landfall approaches, a program in western North Carolina schools is helping students cope with the tragedy.
OPINION: Where Western NC stands a year after Hurricane Helene
This week, as we approach the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene–one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit western North Carolina–it’s important to take stock of how we’re doing. Where do we stand and what do we still need?
One year after Helene, western NC residents reflect on what their communities have been through
Hurricane Helene left at least 108 people dead, over 100,000 homes damaged or destroyed, and over $60 billion in total costs. A year later, communities across western NC are still picking up the pieces.
After Helene, town of Lake Lure plans to reopen lake by late spring
The North Carolina town of Lake Lure will reopen its scenic lake in spring 2026, town leaders say, after being one of Helene’s hardest hit areas.
Opinion: Trump accused Biden of abandoning NC after Helene. Now, he’s doing just that
Right now, under Trump, we are seeing a fundamental change to the way we do disaster relief in America. It’s going to hurt states like North Carolina the most.
Video: Helene shut down Marshall’s Mad Co. Brew House. Today, they’re back in business.
Helene ravaged western NC, including the town of Marshall, last September. But now local businesses like Mad Co. Brew House are hoping for a comeback.
Marshall sees small business comeback after Hurricane Helene
Last fall, communities across western North Carolina were devastated by Hurricane Helene. A year later, the town of Marshall has reopened and is forging a path forward.
Iconic North Carolina tourist attraction damaged by Helene will be demolished
Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene’s devastating pathway through western North Carolina, a vibrant tourist attraction offering visitors a serene escape in the Blue Ridge Mountains is being torn down.