Thousands of students across western North Carolina lost their homes a year ago in September when Helene hit with some of the most vicious floods, landslides and wind ever seen in the mountainous region.

Helene destroyed around 1,400 homes and damaged nearly 20,000. The homeless student population surged, doubling in some places and even increasing fivefold in one county.

Across the state, more than 2,500 students were identified as homeless as a direct result of Helene, according to state data obtained by The Associated Press. Storm debris has mostly been cleared away, but the impact of the displacement lingers for students.