North Carolina
'Thankful': 2 months after Helene, Western North Carolina survivors move into temporary housing
OLD FORT, N.C. (WTVD) — With the keys to her new home in hand, Kelli Hart has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. She and her husband Tom, who is a disabled Vietnam veteran just moved in.
“These are the keys to my happy place,” said Hart. “I’m just trying to unpack some boxes, get the table ready and festive, so I can get in the mood to cook a big old turkey and dressing and all the good stuff he likes.”
Eyewitness News got a tour of the two-bedroom RV that the Harts will call home. They have spent the past two months living in churches, hotels and even their car.
“You really start appreciating those things when you’re living in a car and have to go to the bathroom,” she said.
Helene survivors getting temporary housing at RV Park
The couple lived in North Cove, North Carolina when Hurricane Helene caused the nearby creek to rise over its banks. The fire marshall came knocking at her door.
“He said it’s time to go now. I said what? He said that creek is a river and unless you want to be part of it, you better grab him and let go. We left with just the clothes on our back,” Hart said.
The couple lost everything, including their cat Ally. They had no flood insurance and neither did Johnny Bass and his wife.
“You don’t buy flood insurance in the mountains. Know what I mean,” Bass exclaimed. “The house is still standing, but the water went three and a half feet deep completely through it all.”
The Bass is just a few doors down from the Harts at Old Fort RV Park, a temporary housing community for Helene survivors provided by FEMA.
According to FEMA, 33 families have temporary homes to call their own in Western North Carolina as of Thanksgiving and nearly 500 families have been approved for housing. FEMA is paying hotel costs for almost 12,000 survivors in the state. The federal agency has already paid more than $ 940,000 to help survivors with their rent.
The data was released as Hurricane Helene brought mass destruction to North Carolina, with many people losing their homes, businesses and lives. The federal government was accused of not responding to hard hit areas and it became political in the weeks leading up to the presidential election.
SEE ALSO | Christmas tree industry in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene destruction in WNC
“I’m a devout Republican and it doesn’t matter. I’m out here shoulder to shoulder with devout Democrats,” said John Safar, developer and owner of the RV park.
He is allowing FEMA to support survivors with temporary housing for up to 18 months. The park is large enough for 50 mobile homes.
“Everybody is out here together trying to make this thing happen as quickly as possible to get these people into a nice safe environment. That’s all it’s about,” he said.
It’s that spirit that survivors in this community are embracing as they prepare for their first Thanksgiving in their new homes.
“I have my be thankful plates because we are very thankful,” said Hart.
Helene survivor thankful for temporary housing, first Thanksgiving since the storm
SEE ALSO | 1 month after Helene, hard work continues in Western North Carolina
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
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Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Fire crews are responding to a brush fire near Howard Gap Road in Hendersonville on Friday evening.
The fire is across the street from the Ebenezer Baptist Church and near the Highlands Square Shopping Center.
Henderson County Fire Marshal Glen Gillette said crews are fighting “blowdown from Helene.”
NEW WILDFIRES IGNITE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOREST AMID WORSENING DROUGHT
Around 11 p.m., the fire appears larger than it did an hour ago because crews are backburning, which refers to using fire to help control the wildfire.
Dana Fire Department Chief Jimmy Womack said that what was a 3-acre fire an hour ago will be an 8-acre fire due to back burning. He said the fire is 80% contained.
Womack said the cause of the fire is unknown, but one of the conditions contributing to the blaze is the Helene blowdown.
“There’s a lot of blowdown in these woods behind us. That’s what creates most of the problem,” said Womack.
Womack said there has been no property damage and no injuries have been reported for this fire in the woods that 24 personnel are fighting. They got the call to arrive at 6:05 p.m.
LOCAL NEWS
Dana Fire and Rescue and Henderson County Fire Department are supporting the U.S. Forest Service with this fire.
Glen said no structures are threatened at this time and Howard Gap Road is closed.
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This story will be updated as new information is discovered.
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