Brown Mountain Beach Resort managers Kelsey and Jeremy Wallace describe the importance of community after Hurricane Helene.
The remnants of Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina as a tropical storm on Friday, Sept. 27.
The storm brought rain, wind and destructive flooding, leaving residents without power, water, cellphone service and in some cases, a home.
Here are five stories of neighbors helping neighbors, terror, loss and a glimmer of hope.
'Please help us.' Latest Headlines Groom helps with flood rescue at Wilson Creek wedding venue. Others climbed trees to escape Helene's barrage. Chrissy Murphy
At a Wilson Creek wedding venue, one couple was to be married the Friday of the storm. Instead, the day started with the owner of the property getting washed down the river as her home was destroyed.
Now, Brown Mountain Beach Resort begins to rebuild with the support of the community.
People are also reading... 100 more missing person reports in one day in McDowell County; Marion water supply still low McDowell County Schools plan to restart school Wednesday except at Old Fort Elementary McDowell confirms first death from Hurricane Helene one week after storm ravaged western NC McDowell students back to class on Wednesday on 2-hour delay Damage in Old Fort 'devastating.' No flood insurance makes things worse. North Fork River shifts in flood. North Cove neighbors rally together after hurricane See photos, drone footage of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Old Fort and McDowell County Hurricane update: 14 still missing in McDowell County McDowell County man charged with murder after fight with roommate in Old Fort Food Lion in Marion set to reopen Friday, one week after being flooded by Helene Curfew set nightly in Old Fort due to aftermath of Hurricane Helene, increased theft Baxter IV fluid facility in Marion closed by Helene flooding; bridges to property damaged McDowell County: 5 missing person reports still open after Hurricane Helene Marion eases water restrictions: You can wash your car now Nation's largest maker of IV fluid limiting orders after damage at Marion plant
"Look around," the venue manager said. "There's so much love and hope."
Old Fort faces long road ahead Weather 'Now it's all gone.' Old Fort faces future after Hurricane Helene leaves part of town in ruins CONNOR MCNEELY Winston-Salem Journal
In Old Fort, a town of less than 1,000 people in McDowell County, a creek running through town rose to flood much of the downtown area.
In the aftermath of muddy streets and waterlogged homes, neighbors came out to share hot meals, take care of one another and begin to clean up.
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"We love you, we'll be praying for you," a card from an Old Fort Elementary School student said. "We have Old Fort pride deep inside."
Starting over after the Catawba River took their homes Latest Headlines This Burke County family has lived along the Catawba River since 1948. Helene destroyed their homes. Chrissy Murphy
One family in Burke County has lived on the same piece of property along the Catawba River since 1948.
Jim Morgan built his family's home there when he was 32. After seeing what the storm did to the house, he feels like he has to start over.
"I got back, and I started laughing," Jim said. "I thought, 'This can't be true.' I just laughed. I laughed, and this morning I woke up weeping. ... Then I couldn't do anything but weep."
Businesses step up with food, water, aid Latest Headlines Catawba, Burke County businesses, owners pitch in to help western NC hurricane relief efforts wchapman
Owners of businesses in Burke and Catawba counties changed gears in the days after Hurricane Helene to help those in need.
One Hickory brewery started canning water instead of beer. A Hickory restaurant group sent 1,500 meals per day to western North Carolina. Other business owners drove up and down the mountain delivering supplies.
Digging out from inches of mud Food & Drink Hurricane Helene flooding left Marion restaurant caked in mud. "We're just at a loss." Chrissy Murphy
One Marion restaurant exemplifies the plight of many businesses in the area. Flooding left J. Hartman's caked in mud and dirt. The restaurant threw out $30,000 of food.
"We had no idea," an owner said. "Just like anybody else, we didn't know the water was going to come up that high, and I felt like we were pretty safe."
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