For weeks after the storm, people had to boil anything that wasn’t poured from a bottle, and many of them drew from creeks and ponds just to flush their toilets.
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From CPP: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians sees effects to tourism and agriculture after Helene, but uses tribe’s resources to send aid elsewhere
“We received quite a bit of damage, but nothing like people east of Cherokee,” Anthony Sequoyah, the Eastern Band’s secretary of travel operations, told Carolina Public Press.
From CPP: Why legal challenge to NC medical provider regulation matters
A recent lawsuit brought forth by a New Bern ophthalmologist challenges the constitutionality of the law, bringing the issue to the forefront of statewide debate.
My Story: Helene, Howland Road and the Scooby van
Xpress asked readers to share their experiences of Tropical Storm Helene. This is one of those stories.
Aftermath of Helene making Western NC survivors sick
All Western North Carolina residents will have to look out for additional public health issues as the region continues to recover from Helene.
When will we know who won the election in North Carolina?
On election night, you’re more likely to learn the results of statewide races that aren’t close or local elections, which involve fewer votes. Here’s what you need to know about when and how results will be tabulated.
From CPP: Tourism economy of WNC hopes to weather the loss of October after Helene
Asheville’s tourism board is trying desperately to tell folks across the state and country that despite the devastation, they should still book a trip to the city.
N.C. Legislature’s Helene relief bill contains several health-related measures
The North Carolina General Assembly passed over $604 million in Helene disaster relief on Oct. 24, with $71.4 million earmarked for supporting local health departments, mental health services, disaster nutrition assistance and child care, among other health-related measures.
From CPP: Lawmakers direct WNC counties to add early voting sites
North Carolina lawmakers on Thursday tasked county boards of election in the 13 most impacted counties from Tropical Storm Helene to open at least one early voting site for every 30,000 registered voters in their county.
‘A city of heroes’: Helene showed the collective power of Asheville
Editor’s note: The following is the text of Asheville Fire Chief Michael Cayse’s speech at the Oct. 22 candlelight vigil held at Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville to honor those affected by Tropical Storm Helene. Good evening, Asheville. My name is Mike Cayse, I have the pleasure of being the fire chief for this […]
From CPP: Mill town in limbo. Helene leaves sale of closed Canton paper mill in doubt.
Tropical Storm Fred caused massive flooding in Canton in 2021. Then the mill closed, crushing the town. Now, the damage Helene wreaked on the mill and the town’s wastewater facility has the once-enthusiastic buyer — E.J. Spiritas Group — reconsidering its options.
From CPP: ‘Give them their voice in this election.’ Early voters in mountains brave long lines after Helene.
According to North Carolina Board of Elections data, 13,355 people voted in Buncombe County during the first two days of early voting.
My Story: Getting trees off roofs and feeling community support
“I worked from High Point and kept answering phones and coordinating help — finding out which tree crews with cranes were where and getting that information to anyone with a tree on their house.”
My Story: Neighbors DIY it to source water for East End/Valley Street
“By Sunday, it became clear that our water infrastructure wasn’t going to improve anytime soon, and our neighbors needed a way to flush their toilets. We decided to gather creek water using buckets and bins from a friend’s property and bring it back for our neighbors.”
Candlelight Vigil at Pack Square Park, Oct. 22
“We’ll join as one and remember,” writes Asheville City Council member Maggie Ullman. “We’ll remember what was here before. We’ll remember when life seemed simpler somehow. We’ll remember and reaffirm how important it is to care for each other.”
From CPP: No place to stay. Helene deepens housing crisis in Western NC.
Asheville and other areas in Western North Carolina already have largely unaffordable housing markets for many residents, and Helene threatens to make the problem worse.
City of Asheville Water Resources issues systemwide boil water notice, Oct. 15
A boil water notice means there is contamination due to impacts from Hurricane Helene exceed Safe Drinking Water Act standards initially used to restore water pressure. Your water may look cloudy and/or have a chlorine odor.
From CPP: HCA and nurses union reach contract deal in the midst of disaster response
At a hospital without running water, Asheville’s Mission Hospital and its union of nurses have come to a long-awaited agreement, ratifying a new three-year contract just two weeks after Tropical Storm Helene devastated the city.
From CPP: NC legislators commit $5 million to emergency election measures
The State Board of Elections initially requested $2.1 million to help run elections in 13 counties; instead, they will receive $5 million to aid the 25 counties that were part of the federally declared disaster area last week.
From CPP: Western NC college programs adjust after disruption of Helene
No colleges have reported any injuries or fatalities, though UNC Asheville is still working to account for some of its students. A tree fell on a student-filled residence hall at Lees-McRae college in Avery County, but no one was hurt.
From CPP: Applying for FEMA aid in NC after Tropical Storm Helene
The deadline to apply for aid is Nov. 27.