I feared Hurricane Helene had taken my family. One year later, we have hope and are rebuilding

It’s been almost a year since then Hurricane Helen Renovated western North Carolina and southern Appalachia. But as a local in the area, I remember like yesterday: reports on catastrophic flooding, thousands of mudslides and infrastructure failures – from closed enclosures to offline cellular towers.

Four days after the storm, I still haven’t heard from my parents. Cell services throughout the region have been closed, and the power is still extinguished and cannot be in and out. They were trapped for five hours and I don’t know if they’re OK.

When I loaded the truck with extra gas tanks, water, food and toiletries, I didn’t know I was even going to take it home.

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It wasn’t until I arrived in Raleigh that I-26 had reopened traffic in the area. Less than 30 minutes later, for the first time in a week, I heard my brother tell me that my family is safe.

But many families in our community are not lucky. They lost everything, including their loved ones.

As we say goodbye to our friends, family, colleagues, classmates and neighbors, the survivors plagued our community and asked, why not me?

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Must be given to the congressman Like North Carolina Republicans Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina and Tim Burchett of Tennessee, they never stopped fighting to provide aid to our area.

Instant The consequences of the storm, Donald Trump President and Vice President JD Vance made their mission to raise awareness to Appalachia. Republican Chairman Michael WhatleyNow, despite flooding, many voting sites are currently running for the Senate to ensure western North Carolina can vote.

Since then, the southern Appalachian has overcome a lot, and much credit belongs to private citizens, not just federal officials.

The Biden administration failed to act immediately after the storm, and our region relies on the kindness of volunteers, celebrities and billionaires to connect our community to the outside world.

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Nevertheless, today, it must be attributed to the brave civilians giving up everything to help.

It was Elon Musk, not the federal government Starlink Throughout the region, they can connect with the outside world.

It is not the federal government that gives food, supplies and water to stranded families and cannot cross the river. Is former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and Cajun Navy.

Who delivered warm meals on horseback and scraped mud from the destroyed buildings? Churches, nonprofits and universities – not federal government.

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Families who suffered losses in the storm dropped what they were doing to check their elderly neighbors and families who were unable to communicate whether they were safe or distressed.

Rather than waiting for federal action, our community united, put the differences aside and rolled up our sleeves to restore our lifestyle.

I’ve spoken to several of our local officials and they’re still waiting for everyone to say the upcoming help. Is it a house or not FEMA For families who have been approved or businesses that are waiting for relief expenses, our community is still waiting for the help they promised.

For generations, Appalachia suffered the consequences of a federal government breach. This changed last November as communities across the region sent a message to Washington that they would no longer be forgotten.

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On his first official trip to his second term – Inauguration only three days later Trump visited Western North Carolina needs to witness disasters and progress first-hand. He immediately signed an executive order to simplify FEMA Priorities and capabilities.

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It was at that moment that the trend began to change. His message to our community Reignited hope.

Rather than waiting for federal action, our community united, put the differences aside and rolled up our sleeves to restore our lifestyle.

In the months following the visit, the federal government began working faster. Eliminating regulations and full support from the White House helped Western North Carolina enter a revival phase.

Helene destroyed two of the three towns in our county. In May this year, both towns held a reopening ceremony celebrate An incredible milestone.

The southern Appalachian is still being rebuilt, but the progress we have experienced must be celebrated. Towns have reopened, shops are being rebuilt, and families are beginning to feel a new normal.

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We celebrate the hard work, dedication and sacrifices that many people throughout western North Carolina have done, selflessly dedicated themselves to a year of life to rebuild and restore our region.

The revival of southern Appalachians proved the strength and resilience of the Appalachians. We strengthen when our neighbors need us the most, and we are stronger because we will never let adversity down.

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