Several North Carolina counties opened warming shelters for people without heat access or who were displaced by Hurricane Helene last September. Some are enduring the cold while living in tents as they wait for more aid.

Though they were seven hours away, their suffering felt like his own. He couldn’t bear the thought of watching his home swallowed by floodwaters, losing friends and family to a sudden disaster, or spending Thanksgiving alone,

Shawn Hendrix, a Mr. Beast employee, spoke to Top Story about ongoing relief efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. He noted significant cleanup and rebuilding progress but emphasized that those struggling before the storm are now facing even greater challenges.

Hurricane Helene took out critical infrastructure in western North Carolina, specifically water systems that were already under much strain.

December has delivered snow and biting cold, a different type of storm from Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina in late September. Hundreds of people whose homes were destroyed are still living in campers and tents amid the cold temperatures.

Freezing temperatures are typical this time of year, but they are less than welcome in communities still recovering from Helene. Emergency management officials across the mountains have plans in place to ensure residents have a warm place to stay.