When Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina, the damage was swift and severe — and for many families, the disaster also cut off access to safe drinking water. In a region where thousands rely on private wells, restoring clean water was critical to health, safety, and recovery.
Topics Related to Helene Recovery Stories
A caring daughter turned to Renew NC's Single-Family Housing Program to help her mother in Fletcher, NC, get the repairs she needed for her home damaged by Hurricane Helene. Renew NC is funded by a federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. North Carolina is the first state affected by Hurricane Helene to start its home renovation and reconstruction program.
Allie Beck faced an immense workload in the months following Hurricane Helene as her family navigated recovery from devastating damage to their llama farm. Continuing her coursework at Isothermal Community College seemed daunting, but support she received from the school, including a state-funded emergency grant, helped her complete an Agribusiness Technology degree and reopen Ellaberry Farm.
From Rosman to Brevard and beyond, the French Broad River begins in North Carolina, flowing through Transylvania County and over 200 miles across the state before reaching Tennessee. Community leaders share updates about outdoor tourism and the importance of natural resources in the region's economic recovery.
GROW NC leaders met with teachers and administrators from Buncombe County Schools to learn about their integrated and engaging curriculum supporting 500 elementary and middle school students who lost instruction time following Hurricane Helene. BCS is among 16 western North Carolina school systems that offered state-funded school extension learning recovery programs.
Andrew Turnbull wasn’t planning to go back to college at age 54, but Hurricane Helene took both his home and his job as resident caretaker at trout farm in Marion. After a harrowing experience navigating the storm, a state-funded emergency grant helped him look forward and start over, covering his tuition for construction classes. He hopes to be part of the change as our state works to help western North Carolina rebuild and recover.
Jennifer Messer recently completed the Certified Nursing Assistant program at McDowell Tech. The state-funded emergency grant she received after Hurricane Helene helped her pay bills and focus on school, earning a 4.0 GPA and President’s List distinction when she walked the stage as a graduate in May 2025. She is now enrolled in pre-nursing classes for the Associate Degree Nursing Program at McDowell Tech.
Carli Cook faced significant life changes while working to complete the R.N. nursing program. She found herself enrolled as a full-time student while taking on the roles of caregiver and primary breadwinner for her family. Then Helene hit. A state-funded emergency grant helped to cover bills and tuition, keeping her on track for graduation in May 2025. She has already passed her NCLEX exam and is working as a Registered Nurse in the community.
After Hurricane Helene, more than $48 million in state funds were directed to scholarships and emergency grants to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in the North Carolina Community College System, UNC System, and private universities and colleges. Nearly half of those funds supported community college students. Three McDowell Tech students shared how this additional funding helped them stay in school and on track to achieve their goals.
A ribbon-cutting at a newly reopened river access point kicks off a summer of activites highlighting the region’s continued comeback from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Businesses, popular travel destinations, festivals, and other events are open and ready to welcome visitors. Plan your next visit!