Lesson learned: How the pandemic provided a teachable moment for NC lawmakers in latest Helene relief bill

Before you go … If you like what you are reading and believe in independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism like ours—journalism the way it should be—please contribute to keep us going. Reporting like this isn’t free to produce and we cannot do this …

What happened at Lake Lure's dam during Tropical Storm Helene?

The Costs of Responding to Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina

HICKORY, N.C. – Debris removal. Restoration of utilities. Emergency repairs to public bridges and water systems. Overtime costs for emergency personnel. Evacuation support. Transportation of supplies for the public. These are some of the costs the state of …

FEMA reimburses $451.8M for post-Helene recovery in Western North Carolina

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Debris removal. Utility restoration. Emergency repairs for public bridges and water systems. Overtime costs for emergency personnel. Evacuation support. Transportation of supplies for the public. Those are just some of the costs …

Applications open for Tennessee’s Helene recovery funding

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - There’s another opportunity for Helene assistance, this time directly from the State of Tennessee. Applications opened Monday. Tennessee legislators have set $100 million aside as part of the Response and Recovery Fund to give …

How some Asheville restaurants weathered Helene

At Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian on Merrimon Avenue, the usual bustling crowds were nowhere to be found in October and November. With tourism gone and local spending tight after Tropical Storm Helene, owner Eric Scheffer knew he had to act quickly. “We …

Hurricane prep: Officials from all levels meet to plan for storm season

By BILL DECKER bdecker@daily-review.com Tropical weather can shock, even when it doesn’t surprise. That was the case last year, when what was expected to be an active hurricane season gave Morgan City its closest brush with a direct hit since 1992 and …

Lessons learned from Hurricanes Debby and Helene: Bulloch County leaders discuss impacts and preparation

A community forum hosted by Morris Bank provided a platform for city and county officials, along with representatives from Georgia Power and Excelsior EMC, to discuss the impact of recent storms and the importance of community preparedness. Local officials …

Helene milestone: Asheville city bus stops to resume along Swannanoa River Road

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The City of Asheville announced in an April 23 news release that city bus routes will resume along Swannanoa River Road on May 4. It will mark the first time city buses have been on that road since Tropical Storm Helene hit the …

Community effort brings hope to mountain farms after Helene

YANCEY COUNTY, N.C. — It's been more than six months since Helene tore through western North Carolina, bringing historic rainfall that turned peaceful streams into raging rivers. Countless farms were left with rocky unusable ground where fertile soil …