Helene ravaged NC’s Nolichucky River, now an illegal mine is polluting it It took months for the state to get the gravel mine to shut down in 2025. Residents worry now that it may be impossible to stop the site from leaching sediment and toxins into the Nolichucky.

#Helene turned the #Nolichucky, a 115-mile long world-class whitewater rafting site, into a treacherous obstacle course, But residents say an illegal mining operation came in under the guise of digging stone and gravel to help the railroad rebuild
www.newsobserver.com/news/state/n...

Hurricane Helene devastated Western NC in late 2024. Federal disaster relief was slow, incomplete, and then further hampered by agency cuts.

Asheville is still rebuilding. NC hasn't forgotten who wasn't there. #NoKings #NorthCarolina #Helene

Hurricane Helene devastated Western NC in late 2024. Federal disaster relief was slow, incomplete, and then further hampered by agency cuts.

Asheville is still rebuilding. NC hasn't forgotten who wasn't there. #NoKings #NorthCarolina #Helene

ISO a floofy rug (any color) in the #ATLsky #Atlanta metro. I guess they are usually pretty light so I can pay shipping. Mine was destroyed during #helene when my studio flooded and I find I really miss laying in it and looking at the ceiling…

NC governor seeks nearly $800 million in state funding in latest Helene recovery request • NC Newsline Governor Josh Stein is calling on the General Assembly to invest another $792 million in western North Carolina as recovery continues from Hurricane Helene.

The #Helene request includes $10 million in rental and utility assistance, $20 million for forgivable loans for small businesses; $50 million for local governments;; and $100 million for the repair or replacement of private roads, bridges and culverts ncnewsline.com/2026/03/26/n...

NC governor seeks nearly $800 million in state funding in latest Helene recovery request • NC Newsline Governor Josh Stein is calling on the General Assembly to invest another $792 million in western North Carolina as recovery continues from Hurricane Helene.

Friday marks the 18-month anniversary of Helene’s devastating blow to western North Carolina. Gov. Stein is calling on the General Assembly to invest another $792 million in the region as recovery continues. ncnewsline.com/2026/03/26/n... #WNC #ncpol #Helene

FEMA concedes to judge's ruling, will reinstate $200M storm relief program FEMA has conceded to a judge’s ruling, ordering that the agency reinstate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program.

👇 #NCpol #helene
wlos.com/news/local/f...

I was going to let this one pass, but they are using #Helene as the example here so off I go.

This graphic still makes it look like the greatest threat is on the coast of the big bend of Florida. Is this going to convince folks in Western NC to be prepared for floods?

No.

From buckets to blacktop: NC lawmakers rethink how future transportation dollars are spent • NC Newsline North Carolina lawmakers say the the road-tested formula for determining which projects get built may have worked in the past, but it's not working now.

In today’s highly partisan environment, it’s hard to get Republicans and Democrats to agree on much. But when it comes to North Carolina’s transportation infrastructure, both sides agree the current funding formula needs to be reworked. #ncpol #ENC #WNC #Helene

HERE WE GO
#TornadoWarning in Yancey County, NC (including some of the state's hardest hit communities from #helene a year and a half ago, and home to the best summer camp on the planet).

#ForestFriday #AshevilleHumaneSociety #Helene

From timber to tinder: NC forestry officials worry about growing fire dangers, fewer workers • NC Newsline Forestry officials worry about more wildfires in the aftermath of Helene. But low pay is making it increasingly difficult to keep experienced staff.

North Carolina has averaged 4,600 wildfires a year for the last decade. Forestry officials worry about the growing risks and a declining pool of experienced firefighters. ncnewsline.com/2026/03/12/f... #ncpol #WNC #Helene

Jackson Restores $2.5M for NC Schools: What It Means for WNC | WNC Times Jeff Jackson secures $2.5M for NC schools, impacting Western NC! Learn how this funding restores vital programs for students in WNC.

Jackson Restores $2.5M for NC Schools: What It Means for WNC wnctimes.com/article/jack... #NCpolitics #Helene #HeleneRecovery #StormRelief #FEMA #WNCSTRONG #WNC #WNCmountains #WNcnews #Asheville #Education #EducationFunding #RuralEducation #JdffJackson #Appalachia #NCSchools #Students #AVL #Avlnews

The line in 2024 just after #Helene:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BXk...

Contractor #RJCorman is working on most of the construction work between #OldFort and #Ridgecrest. Freight #rail traffic to #Asheville is only accessible via the #Tennessee side to the west via the #T-Line. All rail traffic between #Asheville and #OldFort has been cut off since #Helene in 2024. #wnc

Per Bryan Marshall on FB: reconstruction efforts on the #NorfolkSouthern #AS-Line should be done by mid-April or early May, 2026. The #train line runs between #Asheville and #Salisbury. The section between #OldFort and #Ridgecrest was severely damaged by #Hurricane #Helene. #NC #ncpol #WNC

No Pipe Dream on the French Broad Pipe from IPEX's Asheville factory is still in the river 18 months after Hurricane Helene, with no indication the company will clean it up.

This should be a bigger story.

www.theassemblync.com/news/environ...

#Asheville #WesternNorthCarolina #Helene

ArtsAVL Opens $1.2 Million Grant Program to Help WNC Nonprofits Rebuild After Helene | WNC Times ASHEVILLE — Arts organizations across 16 Western North Carolina counties battered by Hurricane Helene can now apply for a share of $1.2 million in rec...

ArtsAVL Opens $1.2 Million Grant Program to Help WNC Nonprofits Rebuild After Helene wnctimes.com/article/arts... #Helene #HeleneRecovery #StormRecovery #NonProfits #LocalArtists #Asheville #avl #AvlBusiness #WNCbusiness #LocalBusiness #AshevilleNews

Federal Judge Orders FEMA to Reinstate BRIC Program, Freeing $200M for NC Mitigation Projects | WNC Times RALEIGH — A federal judge on Friday ordered FEMA to fully reinstate a key pre-disaster mitigation grant program that was cancelled last year, deliveri...

Federal Judge Orders FEMA to Reinstate BRIC Program, Freeing $200M for NC Mitigation Projects wnctimes.com/article/fede... #FEMA #WNC #WncMountains #AVL #AvlNews #Asheville #Helene #HeleneRecovery #MarshallNC #NC #NorthCarolina #NCNEWS #StormRecovery

NC Directs $472M in Water Infrastructure Grants to Storm-Hit WNC Communities | WNC Times RALEIGH — North Carolina has directed $472 million in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure funding to 66 counties as part of a broad post-Hurr...

NC Directs $472M in Water Infrastructure Grants to Storm-Hit WNC Communities wnctimes.com/article/nc-d... #NC #NorthCarolina #WNC #WncNews #WncMountains #Asheville #avl #AshevilleNews #Helene #HeleneRecovery #NCNeWS #LocalNews

Resilience Hubs Mapping Project Underway to Inform Network Development | WNC Times Asheville -- City of Asheville News March 4, 2026: In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Asheville residents activated powerful networks of care to support...

Resilience Hubs Mapping Project Underway to Inform Network Development wnctimes.com/article/resi... #Asheville #CommunityNews #LocalCommunity #Helene #HeleneRecovery #LocalNews #avl #AshevilleNews #avlnews

Lake Lure took a big hit from #Helene. This is the flowering bridge. A peaceful, Spring relaxing spot in the NC mountains.

Still needs #FEMA #Helene #LakeLure #Floweringbridge #NCMountains

“The mountains are calling and I must go” #JohnMuir.

#naturephotography

Asheville's Economic Recovery Uneven: Michelin Stars and New Airport Gates, But Axeville to Close | WNC Times ASHEVILLE — Asheville's post-Helene economic recovery is producing a mixed picture for local businesses, with high-profile culinary recognition and ai...

Asheville's Economic Recovery Uneven: Michelin Stars and New Airport Gates, But Axeville to Close wnctimes.com/article/ashe... #WNC #WNCnews #Asheville #Avl #AvlBusiness #WncBusiness #LocalBusiness #Helene #HeleneRecovery

Asheville Lands $6.9M in Federal and State Funds to Rebuild Water Plant, Storm-Damaged Parks | WNC Times ASHEVILLE — The city of Asheville has secured $6.9 million in additional FEMA and state recovery funds to rebuild water infrastructure and repair publ...

Asheville Lands $6.9M in Federal and State Funds to Rebuild Water Plant, Storm-Damaged Parks wnctimes.com/article/ashe... #Asheville #WNC #WNCnews #AvlNews #LocalNews #Helene #HeleneRecovery

Lake Lure Town News & Community Updates: | WNC Times Town of Lake Lure -- Feb 28, 2026: Face Book Post: Lake Lure Town News & Community Updates: We invite you to explore the latest news and progress ...

Lake Lure Town News & Community Updates: wnctimes.com/article/lake... #WNC #WncMountains #LakeLure #Helene #LocalNews #CommunityNews

Michael Whatley was handed the reins on Helene recovery over a year ago, and yet western NC is still waiting for almost 90% of the funds they need. Our communities and neighbors deserve better than Whatley. #ncpol #helene

Michael Whatley was handed the reins on Helene recovery over a year ago, and yet western NC is still waiting for almost 90% of the funds they need. Our communities and neighbors deserve better than Whatley. #ncpol #helene

yes 1) FEMA @altfema.bsky.social not paying up e.g. #Helene #WNC and prevention 2) #NPS @altnps.bsky.social not staffed well enough 3) Can't wait for filing and delays @altirs.bsky.social #IRS 4) Noticed that #DOJ @dojinexile.bsky.social seems understaffed

Pic of the day.
Peaceful Easy Feeling pre 2016

Pre #Helene in #ChimneyRock NC.

#Peace #pbtography #Nature #Rivers
This photo is my own.

The Self-Invention of Helene Schjerfbeck The Finnish artist’s first major exhibition in the US is a moving and harrowing document of her growth, as well as the psychic and physical ravages of agi...

#Art #Review #Reviews #Helene #Schjerfbeck #Metropolitan […]

[Original post on hyperallergic.com]