North Carolina Mountain Community Prepares for Hurricane Season After Hurricane Helene

As hurricane season approaches, residents in the mountain communities of Western North Carolina are preparing for potential impacts nearly two years after Hurricane Helene affected the region. The storm resulted in over one hundred fatalities and significant damage to homes and businesses. Jackie Fenstermacher, a resident of Fairview, North Carolina, recounted her experience during the storm, stating that her home was destroyed and she and her sister were rescued from debris two days later. Since then, they have lived in various temporary accommodations, including FEMA housing and campers. Local organizations are assisting residents in securing funding for new homes. Buncombe County officials are also taking steps to improve disaster preparedness, including the approval of funding for a new emergency operations center at Asheville Mall, which is expected to enhance communication and coordination during future emergencies.