As business owners begin to rebuild their livelihoods in the wake of Helene, financial relief efforts are beginning to take shape in Western North Carolina.
Tag: Tropical Storm Helene
Showing 22-42 of 50 results
Marshall cleans up after Helene against all odds
As they watched floodwaters engulf their town, business owners Josh Copus and Joel Friedman wondered if this was the end of Marshall. But friends, strangers and the U.S. Army stepped up, and the eclectic riverside town of 800 is well on its way to a rebuild, just a month after Helene’s devastation.
Letter: Support bond for greenways and climate resilience
“We should approve the bonds for the evolution of our city and county greenways because they are wise investments in our future and allow us to respond creatively to climate change.”
Brownie Newman leaves office on the heels of Helene
When Buncombe County Commission Chair Brownie Newman first walked out of his house that Friday morning after the wind died down, he was hopeful the effects of Tropical Storm Helene wouldn’t be that bad. Then he walked one block over to Pearson Drive. This wasn’t the way Newman thought he’d end his 12 years on the county commission.
With Asheville’s nonpotable water restored, Flush AVL shifts focus to struggling small towns
Elle DeBruhl, co-founder of Flush AVL, discusses the group’s origins, its rapid growth, its new mission and what might be next for the group’s organizers.
Letter: You can’t go home again
“Anyway, Asheville was a lifetime base camp, but I just realized it will absolutely never be the same or even close to what it was to me ever again in my lifetime.”
Letter: Connect the dots on storm, climate and war
“This monstrous hurricane is the natural result of our society’s addiction to oil and its endless wars to feed our habits. We are in a vicious cycle of death and destruction.”
Letter: FEMA misinformation must stop
“Stop the self-serving lies — FEMA seems to be doing an excellent job in the face of (now two) natural disasters.”
Letter: Church creates welcoming hub after storm
“Pastor Sam and Pastor Erin have reached back into recent history to create a safe and welcoming place for all to be nourished.”
Letter: Witnessing the disaster unfold from afar
“Existing in a world that is normal when your community is falling apart feels like it’s stretching your soul in opposite directions.”
Letter: Where is help for elderly public housing residents?
“I am writing to inform the public of the dire public health situation present at public housing complexes in Asheville after Tropical Storm Helene.”
Local governments ask for state, federal help to address Helene aftermath
Local governments throughout Western North Carolina are facing a number of critical needs in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, including temporary housing, infrastructure repair and debris removal.
City Council frees up $4 million to provide grants to residents and businesses
The majority of the funds — $3.4 million — will help residents with rent and down-payment assistance and home repairs. The city will seek nonprofit partners to administer the grants.
Letter: HCA stepped up for WNC through disaster
“Everyone should applaud how HCA stepped up for our region when we all needed a major medical facility as Helene struck.”
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.”
Letter: Neighbors’ response restores faith in people
“We were both amazed and appreciative for our neighbors for reaching out to everyone inquiring and sharing of each other’s status and needs, and information on where to find food, water, gas and cell service.”
Letter: WNC’s hardworking ethos helped after Helene
“Rather than moan and wait on the government, people used their own equipment, their own gasoline and their own sweat to address a serious situation.”
Letter: Together, we’ll overcome Helene’s destruction
“The needs remain massive, but by the grace of God, the response has been immense as well. So grateful for all the first responders and volunteers who inspire and encourage us every day.”
Buncombe County Schools to reopen to students Oct. 25
All 45 of the district’s schools now have nonpotable water, power and internet service, BCS Superintendent Rob Jackson told the Buncombe County Board of Education at an emergency meeting Oct. 18.
Local couple launch private air force operation to reach rural communities
Since Tropical Storm Helene devastated the region, Taylor Knipp and her fiancé, Adam Smith, have transformed the Harley-Davidson of Asheville dealership in Swannanoa into an ad hoc private air base running daily rescue, reconnaissance and resupply missions to some of the hardest hit areas in Western North Carolina.
ACS backs off drilling wells, works to reopen schools Oct. 28
Superintendent Maggie Fehrman told the Asheville City Board of Education at its meeting Oct. 14 that she still wants to explore drilling wells to increase the district’s resiliency, but is shifting her focus to obtaining enough drinking water to reopen schools by Monday, Oct. 28.