In the wake of Hurricane Helene, North Carolina is grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic storm that has claimed 98 verified lives and caused unprecedented destruction estimated at $53 billion. The General Assembly has approved a $604 million relief package, with significant funds earmarked for education and housing recovery. Among the hardest-hit areas like Asheville and Buncombe County, residents face a long and challenging journey towards recovery, with ongoing searches for missing individuals and reports of communities coming together to support one another. Despite the state’s efforts to provide assistance and additional early voting sites in disaster-impacted counties, frustrations continue to mount as many residents are still displaced, living in tents where their homes once stood. Amid these harrowing circumstances, the community remains resilient, uniting in their resolve to rebuild and recover from this disaster.