RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — It’s been one month since the remnants of Hurricane Helene cut a deadly path through Western North Carolina, damaging more than 100,000 homes, 6,000 miles of road, and killing at least 96 people. In the mountains, work on the rebuild continues as Western North Carolinians admit the road ahead is long and difficult.
“This is a community that gave back so much to us. And it’s been honestly such a blessing,” said Charity Honeycutt, one of the founders of non-profit Mountain Strong.
Mountain Strong started as a grassroots effort amongst seven childhood friends from Yancey and Mitchell Counties after Helene decimated their home. It’s since turned into a large-scale relief effort, raising over $100,000 and organizing relief trips. One month later, Honeycutt said locals are still dealing with major roadblocks.
“On top of home loss, just transportation problems. Like even if they can get to the distribution center, so many people lost their cars. They can’t even get supplies back …