One year ago, Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, leaving lives upended, roads impassable, and homes underwater. In the days and weeks that followed, many of us — neighbors, public servants, and volunteers — worked around the clock to begin picking up the pieces.

Twelve months later, it’s worth asking: How far have we come?

The good news is: farther than many expected.

Thanks to swift action from state leaders, including members of the General Assembly, North Carolina committed over $700 million toward recovery. Among that was $20 million dedicated specifically to flood mitigation grants for hard-hit communities. This is an investment that doesn’t just clean up after storms, but helps prevent damage from the next one. That kind of forward-looking thinking is what all o

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