CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. – When Hurricane Helene turned rivers and streams into deadly walls of water across western North Carolina one year ago, 100% of Duke Energy personnel were involved in restoring power to 2.7 million customers.

A year later, after repairing more than 350 substations damaged by Helene, Duke Energy linemen , many of whom lived and worked in these communities, are recalling the devastation they saw in the wake of the flooding.

Linemen supervisor Miles Bell has been through 12 hurricane seasons with Duke Energy. He spent about two months in Chimney Rock, North Carolina, after Helene, not far from where he lives in western North Carolina.

HISTORIC BILTMORE VILLAGE SHOWS STRENGTH, RESILIENCE IN RECOVERY 1 YEAR AFTER HURRICANE HELENE

"This was by far the worst, just as far a

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