BOONE, N.C. — Nearly one year after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina , Curt Hubbard is finally holding the keys to his new home in Boone, North Carolina, marking the end of a long journey filled with construction delays, material shortages and unwavering determination.

"It's completely surreal ... completely surreal," Hubbard said as he stood in his newly completed home in August.

Hubbard's path to this moment began when Hurricane Helene struck in late September 2024, bringing catastrophic flooding to Boone and forcing him to take shelter in his small escape log cabin while his new home remained under construction. The storm, followed by Hurricane Milton, created what he described as a terrifying experience.

"It's like 3, 4 a.m., this weird wind, the trees popping, the

See Full Page