One year after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of North Carolina, Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith says the work done to rebuild — and the role the community played — has been nothing short of inspiring.

While Cherokee County was spared the worst of the storm's impact, residents and local officials quickly mobilized to help those who weren’t as fortunate.

HELENE | ONE YEAR LATER: NC woman used Starlink to connect families after Helene

Emily Malin, from Andrews, didn’t wait for help after Helene, becoming a lifeline for people across the country instead.

“We’re a strong community — that’s western North Carolina,” Smith said in 2024 only days after the storm hit. “People are going to pull together to help, whether it be local sheriff’s offices or the general public. They’re going t

See Full Page