From the Eye to the Aftermath: One Year After Hurricane Helene

From the Eye to the Aftermath

One Year After Hurricane Helene

Edie Berke, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through Boone in the early hours of the morning. The extreme wind speeds and catastrophic flooding caused an estimated $59.6 billion in damages in North Carolina alone. More than 126,000 homes were affected, and over 6,000 miles of roads were washed away. When we awoke that morning, devastation reigned and our town was changed forever. But as the waters rose, we were not pulled under- we were pulled together.

Now, on the one-year anniversary of Helene, we take a look back at an event that nobody saw coming, where no one could have ever predicted the effects. We take a look around at Boone now, at how we have started to rebuild and recover. We take a look forward toward a future that promises as much hard work as it does hope. In this photo essay, which examines scenes of destruction that have transformed into pictures of healing, we ask ourselves: how far have we come on the road to recovery? When we wake up now, what can we see?

All photos taken by Edie Berke, unless otherwise stated.

Circle Drive Neighborhood

Vilas

A wide gap divides the road where a bridge once stood. Chloe Greer, 12, said the bridge connected her physically and emotionally to her childhood neighborhood. "It was like just seeing a piece of my childhood gone," said Greer. "You'd never think [a bridge] would be that impactful."

Taken 9/28/24. Photo credits: Chloe Greer

A year later, the bridge has not yet been repaired, but the Circle Drive residents have learned to rebuild around it. The road to recovery is long, and we have only just begun to traverse it. "It's definitely sad every time I see it, but time heals," said Greer.

Taken on 9/17/25. Photo credits: Chloe Greer

Raven Rock Meadows

Deep Gap

Debris collects on the bones of a bridge on Raven Rock Drive. Members of the Raven Rock Meadows neighborhood were isolated for days, relying on airdropped supplies.

Taken 9/28/24

Now fully repaired, the bridge connects a scenic gravel drive and the quiet Meadows community.

Taken 9/16/25

King Street

Downtown Boone

A still of King Street taken from live camera footage on the morning of September 27. "The water was so high, reaching the top of buildings," said Brian Newmark, 11. "After things had started to die down, you could see the leftover mud that had been washed into the stores."

Taken 9/27/24. Photo credits: WXII news

Now, evidence of the flooding has all but disappeared. Newmark has seen Boone grow even more tight-knit through the destruction. "The community showed a unity that I have never seen before," said Newmark. "We were all and still are affected by this tragedy, but we are working for everyone to be safe again."

Taken 9/16/25

Milton Moretz Road

Deep Gap

A Christmas tree farm stands out as an island in the flooded valley.

Taken 9/27/24

Fall flowers replace the water as the trees flourish.

Taken 9/15/25

Brushy Fork Baptist Church

Vilas

Floods leave muddy debris in the parking lot and lower levels of the Vilas church.

Taken 10/5/24. Photo credits: Juan-Carlos Garcia

After much work by Samaritan's Purse volunteers, Brushy Fork Church has been refurbished and restored.

Taken 9/17/25. Photo credits: Chloe Greer

Pine Run Bridge

Deep Gap

A destroyed shed washes up on the bank of the New River at the bridge on Pine Run Road. Anneliese Daugherty, 11, remembers walking along the bridge after the storm had passed. "I remember seeing the shed," said Daugherty. "Me and my mom were watching all the water rush by like a marathon."

Taken 10/5/24

Now, all traces of debris have been removed, and wildflowers have sprung up in place of the shed. Seeing bits of beauty like this after the hurricane gave Daugherty a newfound love for Boone's scenery. "Helene made me appreciate nature more, especially in western North Carolina," said Daugherty.

Taken 9/15/25

The Rock

Watauga High School

Harper Costin and Cameron Parker, sophomores, send a message of hope to the school. This was their first time ever painting the rock. "It ended up being kind of a symbol throughout the community that was used to represent how we were doing during the hurricane," said Costin.

Taken 10/16/24. Photo credits: Adrienne Stumb

Since the hurricane, Costin has become one of the main artists responsible for Watauga's popular marker. "We did this most recent rock as well, just to have something positive for the beginning of the school year," said Costin.

Taken 9/16/25

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