First Responders Can’t Reach Those in Need in N.C. County Hit by Flooding Only Months After Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

Mar. 15, 2025

Bridge in Avery County in North Carolina.Photo:NBC News

NBC News

A North Carolina county still reeling fromHurricane Helenewas dealt another setback when severe storms last weekend washed away about a dozen temporary footbridges that provided emergency services for stranded residents.

Located in the western part of the statewith a population of nearly 18,000, Avery County experienced heavy rain and flooding on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024,NBC Newsreported.

“It’s just sad, and you don’t realize how nice it is to have a bridge, to be able to get to your home, but I hate to complain because we didn’t lose our house and we could have lost a lot more,” Hopson, who didn’t know when and how the repairs will be made, told WJZY.

“I started across this morning, I felt the water hit my legs and it was going a little fast, and was worried I was going to get washed down," Buchanan told local NBC affiliateWCNC.

Robin Ollis ofBridges for Avery, a grassroots organization involved in rebuilding or replacing bridges and footbridges following Helene, told WCNC that there are still about 20-30 long-span bridges and over 100 smaller bridges that need to be reconstructed in the county.

“It’s just a lot of despair here. We want to be optimistic, but it is super difficult,” Ollis said to the outlet.

Benjamin Vanhok of WNC Strong, a relief group, told WFMY that before last weekend’s flooding, about 700 people were sheltering in tents. He added that many others have yet to receive help.

“We found 15 families that were completely displaced and nobody had been helped,” he said, according to local CBS affiliateWFMY.  “So, you know, it’s not over. It’s only going [to] get worse before it gets better.”

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Barrier told NBC News that the recovery and restoration of his county has been slow, with displaced residents staying at hotels, with relatives or in campers.

“It’s been normal in areas, but it’s been far from normal in other places,” he said.

PEOPLE contacted the government of Avery County for comment on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

source: people.com