BOONE, N.C. — Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene forced Appalachian State University to cancel classes for almost two weeks , the mountain campus is not just recovering — it's thriving in ways that have surprised even university officials.

The storm hit Boone with devastating force last fall, bringing flooding and mudslides that damaged multiple campus buildings and left debris scattered across the university grounds.

"It brought a lot of debris, trees, limbs, unfortunately, houses, cars, livestock," Dr. Heather Norris, the university's chancellor, said.

Several buildings experienced significant water damage, limiting access throughout the campus and forcing administrators to rely on virtual learning practices developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain student safety during re

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