Helene Recovery

State leaders say 95 people are confirmed dead and 26 people still unaccounted for from Helene.

Live stream: North Carolina governor to speak at Helene recovery meeting

Updated: 1 hour ago

By Brandy Beard

So far, 102 people have died from the storm.

Helene Recovery

Operation Helo sending campers to western North Carolina

Volunteers send 16 campers packed with supplies to western North Carolina

Updated: 3 hours ago

By Mary Calkins

Operation Helo is continuing to help those affected by Helene.

Mecklenburg County

Riverside and Lake Drives along Catawba River on Saturday morning

Mecklenburg County to buy homes damaged by Helene in Mountain Island Lake area

Updated: Nov. 7, 2024 at 4:57 AM EST

By Mary Calkins

The buyout program is voluntary for county homeowners.

Helene Recovery

Halifax North damage after Hurricane Helene.

Helene death toll rises to 102 in North Carolina

Updated: Nov. 6, 2024 at 10:14 AM EST

By Brandy Beard

The storm made its way to the Carolinas on Sept. 27.

Helene Recovery

Along the Asheville corridor on the Blue Ridge Parkway, before clean-up (left) and after...

Stretch of Blue Ridge Parkway around Asheville reopened

Updated: Nov. 6, 2024 at 9:10 AM EST

By Brandy Beard

Park officials are still urging extreme caution along the trails.

WBTV Investigates

Oct. 31 drone footage of Bat Cave along Broad River

In Bat Cave, a tight-knit NC community deeply divided after Helene

Updated: Nov. 4, 2024 at 7:38 PM EST

By Naomi Kowles

WBTV Investigates: How social media and concerns on the ground split a community apart

Helene Recovery

FEMA administrator tours Charlotte, Hickory recovery sites

Updated: Nov. 4, 2024 at 5:19 PM EST

By Ron Lee

“We’ve given out over $4.3 billion in funding,” Criswell explained.

Helene Recovery

FEMA can help with moving, storage costs for those affected by Helene

Updated: Nov. 2, 2024 at 6:24 PM EDT

By Spencer Chrisman

To qualify for moving assistance people must apply with FEMA and meet the requirements

Helene Recovery

Not approved by FEMA for Helene assistance? What you can do

Updated: Nov. 1, 2024 at 6:10 PM EDT

By Spencer Chrisman

FEMA states that if you are ineligible for assistance, it is not a denial.

Helene Recovery

Several North Carolina state parks reopening after Helene

Updated: Nov. 1, 2024 at 1:08 PM EDT

By Ashley Mahoney, Axios Charlotte

Some parks still remained closed as of Friday, Nov. 1.

7-Day Forecast

Political

According to data collected by the North Carolina State Board of Elections, more than half of...

NC elections officials adjust early voting in western county amid GOP criticism

Updated: Oct. 31, 2024 at 3:41 PM EDT

By Nick Ochsner and Maggie McCabe

Republicans raised questions after elections official said county doing ‘bare minimum’

Helene Recovery

Connecticut Army National Guard members, accompanied by civilian volunteers, deliver supplies...

Woman missing since Helene’s flooding found dead in Avery County

Updated: Oct. 30, 2024 at 2:09 PM EDT

By Connor Lomis

Charlene Wilber, 70, of Tennessee, was identified as the deceased victim.

Music

Fans stand outside am entrance to Madison Square Garden as they were turned away because the...

Another Helene benefit concert to aid recovery efforts in North Carolina, Florida

Updated: Oct. 30, 2024 at 12:17 PM EDT

By Connor Lomis

The concert will take place in New York’s Madison Square Garden on Nov. 24.

Helene Recovery

The last hurricane on the scale of Helene was Katrina in 2005. Research on post-traumatic...

State: Helene death toll in North Carolina passes 100

Updated: Oct. 30, 2024 at 10:34 AM EDT

By Brandy Beard

The latest death toll was announced Oct. 30.

Helene Recovery

The National Park Service shared pictures showing damage on the Blue Ridge Parkway caused by...

Two more portions of Blue Ridge Parkway reopen

Updated: Oct. 30, 2024 at 9:12 AM EDT

By Brandy Beard

More than 70 miles of the parkway have reopened since Hurricane Helene.

Helene Recovery

The western part of North Carolina, Buncombe County, was hit the hardest by Hurricane Helene...

NC Disaster Relief Fund receives $300K donation from Taiwan

Updated: Oct. 29, 2024 at 6:41 PM EDT

By Spencer Chrisman

North Carolina has the second largest Taiwanese community in the southeast region of the U.S.

Helene Recovery

North Carolina officials approve more than $604 million in Helene relief funding

Updated: Oct. 29, 2024 at 12:06 PM EDT

By Brandy Beard

More funds have been approved to help with Hurricane Helene relief.

Helene Recovery

Eric Church performs during Concert for Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Bank of...

Eric Church pledges to build homes in Avery County for Helene victims

Updated: Oct. 29, 2024 at 9:43 AM EDT

By Connor Lomis

Church’s promise is included in the “Blueprint for the Blue Ridge” section of his website.

Consumer Solutions

How to apply for FEMA assistance in the wake of Helene

Updated: Oct. 29, 2024 at 5:05 AM EDT

By Caroline Hicks

Thirty North Carolina counties are eligible to apply for assistance.

Helene Recovery

Highway 64 in Henderson County along Bat Cave, Gerton communities

Henderson Co. Sheriff: Volunteer removed from Bat Cave area

Updated: Oct. 28, 2024 at 6:28 PM EDT

By Naomi Kowles

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said other reports of armed militia were unfounded.

Helene Recovery

‘Changed the landscape forever’: Avery County Christmas tree farmers hit hard by Helene

Updated: Oct. 28, 2024 at 3:24 PM EDT

By Ron Lee

The farmers said when the winds and rain of Helene came... it literally moved mountains.

Helene Recovery

Jelly Roll shouts out North Carolina at Charlotte concert.

Jelly Roll on NC during Helene‘s recovery: ‘Y’all give for your own. A beautiful thing to watch!’

Updated: Oct. 28, 2024 at 11:32 AM EDT

By Connor Lomis

“You handled that like North Carolina should! It was a beautiful thing to watch!”

Helene Recovery

Debris left behind after Hurricane Helene, captured by Team Rubicon

Confirmed Helene death toll reaches 99 in North Carolina

Updated: Oct. 28, 2024 at 9:23 AM EDT

By Brandy Beard

The latest death was reported from Henderson County.

Helene Recovery

Luke Combs performs during Concert for Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Bank of America...

Luke Combs calls Concert for Carolina ‘the night I am most proud of’

Updated: Oct. 28, 2024 at 9:22 AM EDT

By Luke Tucker

The concert raised $24.5 million for Helene victims.

Catawba Co.

FEMA will be opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Conover Monday, October 28.

FEMA opening Disaster Recovery Center in Catawba County

Updated: Oct. 27, 2024 at 2:38 PM EDT

By WBTV Web Staff

FEMA will be opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Conover Monday, October 28.

Axios Charlotte

Thousands pack Bank of America Stadium for concert benefitting western North Carolina

Updated: Oct. 27, 2024 at 10:47 AM EDT

By Ashley Mahoney

The benefit concert drew a crowd of 82,193 people and raised $24.5 million for western North Carolina.

Helene Recovery

FILE - North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper holds a news conference in the state...

North Carolina gov. orders flags to be at half-staff to honor Helene victims

Updated: Oct. 26, 2024 at 8:25 PM EDT

By Spencer Chrisman

Honoring the 98 North Carolinians who were killed by Hurricane Helene.

Helene Recovery

Preferred Parking announces money for parking at Concert for Carolina will go to Helene relief

Updated: Oct. 25, 2024 at 8:38 PM EDT

By Spencer Chrisman

VIP Parking will be available for pre-purchase. All other parking will be first come first serve on October 26

Helene Recovery

North Carolina Governor Cooper signs second disaster relief bill into law

Updated: Oct. 25, 2024 at 5:54 PM EDT

By Spencer Chrisman

Bill will provide $600 million in relief which is far less than what the governor proposed.

North Carolina

Helene death toll reaches 98 in North Carolina

Updated: Oct. 25, 2024 at 4:55 PM EDT

By Spencer Chrisman

DHHS says there are now 98 confirmed deaths

Top Story

Rain possible during Concert for Carolina in Charlotte: What to know

Updated: Oct. 25, 2024 at 12:53 PM EDT

By Luke Tucker

Showers could move into Charlotte Saturday night.

Helene Recovery

Mecklenburg County residents displaced by Helene chip away at recovery with long road ahead

Updated: Oct. 25, 2024 at 7:08 AM EDT

By Michael Warrick

“It was devastating,” one woman said.

Helene Recovery

Popular western North Carolina vineyard back open for business weeks after Helene

Updated: Oct. 25, 2024 at 6:46 AM EDT

By Mary King

Grandfather Vineyard reopened Thursday.

Helene Recovery

North Carolina natives Luke Combs and Eric Church will headline the show, called “Concert for...

Star-studded Concert for Carolina happening this weekend in Charlotte: What to know

Updated: Oct. 25, 2024 at 5:33 AM EDT

By Mary Calkins

The big benefit concert is happening Saturday at Bank of America Stadium.

Helene Recovery

A group of neighbors, strangers and helpers are sharing stories and organizing plans to...

Hurricane Helene Recovery: ‘We’re starting a community center!'

Updated: Oct. 24, 2024 at 6:04 PM EDT

By David Hodges

Before Hurricane Helene hit, Natalie Lamb and Julie Moller didn’t know each other. Now, they’re helping start the Garren Creek Community Foundation.

Helene Recovery

Helene the most destructive hurricane in North Carolina history; estimated $53 billion in damage

Updated: Oct. 24, 2024 at 11:02 AM EDT

By Luke Tucker

Hurricane Florence was previously the state’s most destructive storm.

Helene Recovery

Avery County campground struggles to return to normal after Helene

Updated: Oct. 24, 2024 at 11:01 AM EDT

By Ron Lee

It’s been nearly four weeks since Helene devastated many parts of western North Carolina.

Helene Recovery

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper provided an update on Hurricane Helene's impacts

North Carolina governor proposes $3.9 billion for disaster recovery

Updated: Oct. 23, 2024 at 1:37 PM EDT

By Brandy Beard

The announcement will be made at 2 p.m.

Helene Recovery

Police are encouraging residents in the Riverside community to continue being cautious of...

Charlotte Metro residents urged to be cautious of looters following Helene

Updated: Oct. 23, 2024 at 12:38 PM EDT

By Alex Giles

Police encourage residents in the Riverside community to continue being cautious of looters.

Helene Recovery

Inspections revealed that the Linn Cove Viaduct was undamaged by Hurricane Helene. This photo...

Blue Ridge Parkway reopens 20 miles near Blowing Rock

Updated: Oct. 23, 2024 at 11:25 AM EDT

By Connor Lomis

Traffic was opened from milepost 285.5 at Bamboo Gap to milepost 305 near Beacon Heights.

Helene Recovery

Storm damage near Old Fort Road in Flat Rock area of Henderson County after Hurricane Helene.

North Carolina roads continue to reopen weeks after Hurricane Helene’s damage

Updated: Oct. 23, 2024 at 10:46 AM EDT

By Brandy Beard

Almost 1,300 roads were closed after the storm first hit.

Helene Recovery

Multiple ENC counties are now providing free private well-water testing following T.S. Debby

Free well disinfection, collection kits offered for Western North Carolinians

Updated: Oct. 23, 2024 at 10:16 AM EDT

By Brandy Beard

Private wells have to be assessed for damage, repaired, disinfected and tested before they can safely be used.

Helene Recovery

You can appeal a FEMA decision on Helene aid: Here’s how

Updated: Oct. 22, 2024 at 8:42 PM EDT

By Spencer Chrisman

They have right to appeal any decision or award amount

Helene Recovery

Half Moon Overlook on the lower half of Grandfather Mountain offers a landscape of rock faces...

Grandfather Mountain attraction to reopen, but park still closed post-Helene

Updated: Oct. 22, 2024 at 5:24 PM EDT

By Cassidy Johncox

The state park attraction was set to reopen this week.

Helene Recovery

State officials confirm 96th Helene-related death in North Carolina

Updated: Oct. 22, 2024 at 9:42 AM EDT

By Brandy Beard

Although weeks have passed since the storm hit, thousands remain without power and hundreds of roads in Western North Carolina are still closed.

Helene Recovery

Country music superstar Lainey Wilson delivers much-needed supplies to Chimney Rock

Updated: Oct. 22, 2024 at 9:03 AM EDT

By Connor Lomis

Wilson‘s surprise visit was to offer encouragement.

Consumer Solutions

Tips to donate safely, securely to hurricane relief efforts

Updated: Oct. 22, 2024 at 6:11 AM EDT

By Caroline Hicks

Fraudsters sometimes attempt to take advantage when disaster strikes.

Helene Recovery

NC tourism leaders urge visitors to reschedule instead of cancel trips after Helene

List of Western North Carolina towns open for visitors following Helene

Updated: Oct. 21, 2024 at 4:18 PM EDT

By FOX Carolina News Staff

FOX Carolina has a list of towns and other areas in western North Carolina that are now open to visitors as well as those that have not opened following the devastation left by Helene.

Helene Recovery

Swannanoa Fire Deputy Chief Larry Pierson took to social media over the weekend to dispel...

‘Nobody is hiding numbers’: NC firefighter addresses death rumors after Helene

Updated: Oct. 21, 2024 at 1:16 PM EDT

By Amanda Shaw

A North Carolina deputy fire chief took to social media over the weekend to dispel rumors circulating in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Helene Recovery

There's lots to do at Biltmore Estate this fall.

Biltmore Estate to reopen soon: Here’s when

Updated: Oct. 21, 2024 at 8:13 AM EDT

By Luke Tucker

The estate will reopen for Christmas at Biltmore on Nov. 2.