Sharon McBrayer

When Hurricane Helene battered the western portion of North Carolina, emergency services were covered up with just trying to save lives and provide critical services.

Helping people recover what was lost, however, has taken time. Helene hit the area a year ago on Sept. 27, flooding businesses and homes, creating massive amounts of debris, damaging infrastructure and causing some people to lose everything.

On Thursday morning, a group of people from nonprofits, local governments, businesses and faith-based groups kicked off the organization of a long-term recovery group that will be prepared to respond to the next disaster that hits the area.

The meeting focused on the progress since Helene and future plans for long-term recovery efforts following a disaster.

Maureen “M

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