9/27/2026
New from EdNC
‘How far we have come’: An update on districts with schools damaged by Hurricane Helene 2 years later
Ahead of the anniversary of Helene, Good Jobs WNC expands funding to invest in the workforce of the future
Introducing EdNC’s Hurricane Helene Playbook
Listen | Running Towards Disaster: A one-hour special lifting up community college voices in the aftermath of Helene
The Editor’s Notes
Happy Sunday! Hannah here with a special edition of EdDaily, commemorating the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene.
When Hurricane Helene reached North Carolina two years ago, on Sept. 27, 2024, it brought unrelenting rain, severe flooding, and destruction across western North Carolina. But in the weeks, months, and years that followed, destruction has not had the final word. The resilience, generosity, and recovery of North Carolina and its people have testified to the strength of the human spirit, and the power of community for good.
Still, we know that two years later, the people of western North Carolina are still working toward recovery. Ahead of the anniversary, Caroline Parker, EdNC’s former director of rural storytelling and strategy, spoke with superintendents of the four school districts that sustained damage to buildings after Helene about their progress. Most of the districts are still waiting for money from FEMA, and 60 families from Yancey County Schools are still in campers in the county. Still, Superintendent Kathy Amos said: “I do feel like we’ve got a bright future. We recognize that there is still much work to be done across our community. At the same time, we can look back with gratitude and see just how far we have come.”
We also know many people are still working through trauma from the storm. Two books about trauma survival and recovery, both by North Carolina educator Cheryl Fuller, have made a positive impact on our team and readers: “Peace by Piece” and “Forward-Facing® for Educators: A Journey to Professional Resilience and Compassion Restoration.”
On the second-year anniversary of Helene, the EdNC team remains committed to our coverage and strategic support of western North Carolina moving forward — to being the “stay helpers” Watauga High School students called for in “Surge,” an award-winning play about Helene that you can learn more about in the featured read below. You can also find more WNC Strong content below. Stay tuned, as EdNC will continue telling the stories of western North Carolina in the coming weeks.
I want to end with an excerpt from EdNC’s 2024 Thanksgiving blessing, published two months after Helene, as my hopes when I wrote it two years ago hold true today.
A blessing for western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene hit the state as a Tropical Storm, leaving many areas in western North Carolina with unprecedented levels of flooding and devastation.
A blessing for all who came and helped — for emergency workers, volunteers, philanthropists, and faith leaders — and for all who have stayed. As much as has been lost or damaged, we are inspired by all the stories of people showing up, rolling up their sleeves, and doing what needs to be done to serve our students and our educators, our neighbors and our communities.
A blessing for all the “Godwinks” that found their way to people in need after the storm, offering signs of hope and reassurance that even on our worst days none of us are ever truly alone.
A blessing for the stories of kindness; of canned goods and potluck meals; of kids building forts; of staying up together by candlelight to read Shel Silverstein poems; of gathering on the Blue Ridge Parkway for cell service and community.
A blessing for anyone who lost a loved one because of Helene, but especially for the children who lost one or both parents. A blessing for those who are still missing. In the face of unimaginable loss and heartache, a blessing for those who are still here, telling theirs and their loved ones stories.
As life goes on — like it always does — a blessing for feeling all the things: grief and joy, despair and hope, frustration and excitement, loneliness and togetherness.
Keep holding on to each other.
Need to know
EdNC wins multimedia award from NC Press Association for 'Surge' documentary, thanks those we serve
The award is for EdNC’s documentary and reporting about “Surge,” an award-winning play by students about Hurricane Helene. You can learn more about the play and watch our documentary here. Read the rest
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First Lady Melania Trump visits western NC elementary school, commends community for its resilience and discusses AI
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Q&A: Two years after Hurricane Helene
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Mountain strong: North Carolina marks the 2-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene
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Filling the gaps after Helene. Volunteer groups have stepped up across the NC mountains over last 2 years.
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McDowell Tech connects students with careers and their community this school year
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RISE Caldwell-Watauga is training the next generation of workers
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