Residents of Bakersville, a mountainous and remote region in Mitchell County, North Carolina, are trying to make sense of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Thousands of trees were destroyed, train tracks were mangled, and school buses were blown away. Many buildings, including the Mitchell County building, sheriff’s office, and transportation authority, were flooded. Deputies are now working out of a decommissioned school.
In Black Mountain, access in and out of the area has been challenging, with homes lifted and discarded into creeks. Homes have been destroyed, personal belongings strewn about, and roads left undriveable. Residents are facing the difficult task of cleaning out unlivable homes without flood insurance, unsure of what the future holds.
One resident, Diane Douglas, operates a business from her home but doesn’t earn much money. She described the devastation as heartbreaking. In another part of town, a road collapsed into the river below, making it difficult to cross. Residents like Dylan Shook and Ignacio Espino are facing challenges in reaching their homes due to the destruction caused by the hurricane.
Despite the hardship, some residents are coming together to help with clearing and repairing roads. Many are dealing with the stress of not having power, communication, or being able to contact friends. The impact of Hurricane Helene has been widespread in western North Carolina, with homes destroyed and lives forever changed.
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