Stories
The Hurricane Helene Archive brings together a collection of media contributed by community members, researchers, and historians. Use this page to explore firsthand accounts, images, and documents that offer insight into the storm, its impacts, and recovery efforts.
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Interview of Annie Willis
UnknownAnnie and a few others from Boone United Methodist Church went to a cleanup 09/13/2025. I interviewed Annie one year post-hurricane to see what emotions the cleanup brought back. -
Bethel aftermath
UnknownPhotos from the Bethel area near the NC/TN boarder in the days after the storm. -
Doc Watson
UnknownI live in downtown Boone and after a tree came down on my property, cutting off power and leaving me wondering when the next tree might fall, I decided to put on all of my rain gear and walk downtown. I walked where I could for about an hour taking pictures and video and checking on friends' businesses. As I was heading home at about 11:30 am, the rain picked up heavily again and I decided to take cover under an awning just behind the Doc Watson statue on King St. From that perspective I took a picture of Doc, playing his guitar as the floodwaters poured through the intersection of King and Depot streets. -
From flood to relief
UnknownI am currently enrolled at Appalachian State University and My apartment that I was living in is located right next to the Walmart in Boone. The first floor got completely flooded, the water inside my apartment reach above the feet in depth. My roommate and myself were able to save some of our valuables such as computers and our cars but most of possessions where lost. I am enlisted in the air national guard as a c 17 loadmaster and when I got the notification that we were being called to deliver supply’s to Asheville I took it. In a matter of 3 days I went from having my apartment flooded to delivering over 100,000lbs of hurricane relief supplies -
How the community's support inspired me
UnknownWhile I was fortunate not to suffer personal losses during the storm that swept through our town, the widespread destruction I witnessed left a profound impact on me. Houses were damaged, trees lay scattered like sticks, and the streets were filled with lives disrupted. My connection to the local community deepened as I actively engaged in outreach and volunteered my time to support those in need before the storm. For several days, I wrestled with an overwhelming sadness resulting from the devastation, reflecting on its impact on our neighbors, friends, and our community. Despite the despair that hung in the air, I felt a powerful urge to restore hope and positivity to Boone. I drew strength from my relationships with local organizations and community members who shared a common goal of recovery and resilience. Eager to make a difference, I initially looked to volunteer with multiple organizations, but I encountered significant barriers. Finding volunteer applications online proved to be a difficult task, and unanswered phone calls added to my sense of urgency and determination. Despite these obstacles, I pressed on with my mission to assist those in need. Over time, it became evident that many organizations were overwhelmed with requests for help, making it clear that non profits were overwhelmed at the moment. Recognizing the importance of self-care during this journey, I took a brief respite at my dad's house on the other side of the state to recharge both physically and mentally. At the time of the hurricane, I served as the service chair for the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) at Appalachian State University, an organization devoted to enabling leadership, recognition, and service within our campus community. While the storm temporarily halted our scheduled activities, I took hold of the opportunity to resurrect our organization as Boone began to recover. I worked diligently to organize a volunteer day with Samaritan's Purse, a well respected nonprofit focused on disaster relief efforts. This not only breathed new life into our organization but also revitalized a sense of hope within the local community. On that impactful day, we united as a group to clear fallen tree trunks and debris from a resident's yard, embracing the spirit of teamwork and collaboration. I recalled how satisfying it felt to see smiles return to the faces of residents as we worked side by side with them. Prior to my work with NRHH, I had already volunteered with Samaritan's Purse just two weeks after the storm, helping to distribute vital relief supplies and support families wrestling with the aftermath. My efforts included dedicating time to Anna Bananas, where I folded clothing for those in need, ensuring that each item was prepared with care. At Hunger and Health, I cleaned prescription bottles and sorted meal packages for local families, ensuring that those who were struggling received the food they required. Additionally, I worked at the Green Valley Community Park in Todd, assisting in cleaning trails to remove unwanted debris, allowing that space to be restored for community enjoyment. The unwavering spirit of the community surrounding me, even in their struggles, fueled my desire to conduct more service. As a result, my commitment to service continues to thrive today, driven by the connections I’ve cultivated, whether I’m organizing campus clean-ups or crafting blankets for patients at our local medical center. Through these diverse efforts, I aim to develop a spirit of community and resilience, ensuring that we emerge stronger together in our ongoing recovery journey. -
Helene’s impact on the Hispanic CommunityUnknownThe one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene nears for Erwin, TN. The Hispanic community was hit especially hard — many lived in low-lying, flood-prone areas and worked jobs that offered little protection or support during the disaster. As time passes, we can’t forget who was most affected, and why. Many in the Hispanic community faced barriers that others didn’t — language gaps, and being overlooked in media and search efforts. As we remember those lost, we also recognize that not everyone was searched for equally. That truth matters. Their truth matters too. The following videos were sent to me by friends who were out searching for missing people, the damage is unfathomable to anyone who didn’t see it with their eyes. May all the people who lost their lives rest peacefully. Helene was a tragedy for all affected communities in eastern TN and western NC, but don't let the people most affected in Erwin be overlooked a second time.
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Trapped
UnknownI was in my house with my three roommates and some of their band members when Helene started to impact Boone. Nobody was prepared. We didn’t have any food or any drinking water. We were all hungry and bored so we decided to walk the streets and see the aftermath of the storm. First, we saw a giant tree had fallen in our front yard. Then we saw a big group of people walking down the road. We stopped to talk to them. They said that if we took a left, we would see that the road was blocked by a major pothole. Nobody could get in or out on that side. They were going to see if they could walk the other direction to get off Bamboo road and hopefully get some food. So we walked with them. While we were walking, we saw the rushing water. The water was moving so fast, it could have easily swept someone away. When we got to the neighborhood near Hatchet Coffee, we saw trucks and houses almost completely under water. We stopped to take the devastation in. We saw families trying to climb out of the woods. It was horrible. We tried to help but they had just made it out as we got to them. We continued on our journey down the road. As we were walking, we saw the water rushing down again, only the river was way too big. It engulfed the land next to it. We saw an upside down semi-truck. Houses that were up on a hill looked as if they weren’t anymore. That’s when we noticed we couldn’t go any further. The water started to take over the street. There was a group of people watching the water, wondering how they would get out. We were stuck on both sides. I could only describe us as trapped. We waited for hours until the water went down and we could get some food. We ate dry ramen and played card games to pass the time. We were very fortunate that our house was not affected too much by the storm. I unfortunately could not say the same for everyone around us.