North Carolina

Photos: Volunteers take on the task of recovery in flooded NC mountain town

By Robert Willett
Volunteer Justin Moon shovels mud from the public library on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C after flood waters from Hurricane Helen filled the building one week ago.
Volunteer Justin Moon shovels mud from the public library on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C after flood waters from Hurricane Helen filled the building one week ago. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

READ MORE

Hurricane Helene Aftermath

Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer about Hurricane Helene and the aftermath, particularly in Western North Carolina.

Expand All

The Appalachian Trail runs down the main street in Hot Springs, North Carolina. During Helene, the French Broad River raged down the same route, blazing a path of devastation. Volunteers and friends have banded together to help the small resort town start down the path of recovery.

News & Observer photojournalist Robert Willett captured these images a week after the flood hit.

Business owners with an army of volunteers work to clean mud from flooded business on Bridge Street on Friday, October 4, 2024, after flooding from Hurricane Helene destroyed many of them.
Business owners with an army of volunteers work to clean mud from flooded business on Bridge Street on Friday, October 4, 2024, after flooding from Hurricane Helene destroyed many of them. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Seven-year-old Zander Reed of Hot Springs, N.C. sorts through a massive amount of donations for Hurricane Helene victims in the gym of Hot Springs Elementary on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C. Donation coordinators said they have plenty of diapers, but are in need of PPE equipment, and muck boots.
Seven-year-old Zander Reed of Hot Springs, N.C. sorts through a massive amount of donations for Hurricane Helene victims in the gym of Hot Springs Elementary on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C. Donation coordinators said they have plenty of diapers, but are in need of PPE equipment, and muck boots. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Volunteers Kristin Giles and Raymond Dauteuil clean the inventory from the historic Gentry Hardware on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C. Flood waters from Hurricane Helene flooded adjacent Spring Creek in the center of town, wiping out most of the businesses.
Volunteers Kristin Giles and Raymond Dauteuil clean the inventory from the historic Gentry Hardware on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C. Flood waters from Hurricane Helene flooded adjacent Spring Creek in the center of town, wiping out most of the businesses. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
A volunteer working to clean the interior of the flooded historic Gentry Hardware, washes the muck off their boots and shovels on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C.
A volunteer working to clean the interior of the flooded historic Gentry Hardware, washes the muck off their boots and shovels on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
A marker for the Appalachian Trail which passes through downtown Hot Springs, N.C. is covered with sand from flood waters from Hurricane Helen on Friday, October 4, 2024.
A marker for the Appalachian Trail which passes through downtown Hot Springs, N.C. is covered with sand from flood waters from Hurricane Helen on Friday, October 4, 2024. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Jenifer Miller of Hot Springs, N.C. uses water, gravity and ingenuity to solve a growing dust problem, as mud from historic flooding turns to dust on Friday, October 4, 2024 in downtown Hot Springs, N.C.
Jenifer Miller of Hot Springs, N.C. uses water, gravity and ingenuity to solve a growing dust problem, as mud from historic flooding turns to dust on Friday, October 4, 2024 in downtown Hot Springs, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Seven-year-old Zander Reed of Hot Springs, N.C. sorts through a massive amount of donations for Hurricane Helene victims in the gym of Hot Springs Elementary on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C. Donation coordinators said they have plenty of diapers, but are in need of PPE equipment, and muck boots.
Seven-year-old Zander Reed of Hot Springs, N.C. sorts through a massive amount of donations for Hurricane Helene victims in the gym of Hot Springs Elementary on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C. Donation coordinators said they have plenty of diapers, but are in need of PPE equipment, and muck boots. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
One of the hot tubs at the at Hot Springs Resort And Spa is filled to mud on Friday, October 4, 2024 after Spring Creek and the French Board River flooded the resort in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Several of the hots tubs were washed away in the flood.
One of the hot tubs at the at Hot Springs Resort And Spa is filled to mud on Friday, October 4, 2024 after Spring Creek and the French Board River flooded the resort in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Several of the hots tubs were washed away in the flood. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
The guest check in sign at the Hot Springs Resort And Spa on Friday, October 4, 2024 after Spring Creek and the French Board River flooded the resort in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
The guest check in sign at the Hot Springs Resort And Spa on Friday, October 4, 2024 after Spring Creek and the French Board River flooded the resort in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
A quilt and an American Flag are hung out to dry on Friday, October 4, 2024 on the front porch of Hot Springs Rafting Company after the historic structure was flooded by Spring Creek during Hurricane Helene.
A quilt and an American Flag are hung out to dry on Friday, October 4, 2024 on the front porch of Hot Springs Rafting Company after the historic structure was flooded by Spring Creek during Hurricane Helene. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Utility contractors works to restore power to the town of Hot Springs, N.C. on Friday, October 4, 2024, one week after Hurricane Helene moved through western North Carolina.
Utility contractors works to restore power to the town of Hot Springs, N.C. on Friday, October 4, 2024, one week after Hurricane Helene moved through western North Carolina. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina SBI and Federal ATF Agents, search through storm debris in Spring Creek where it meets the French Broad River for victims of Hurricane Helene on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C.
North Carolina SBI and Federal ATF Agents, search through storm debris in Spring Creek where it meets the French Broad River for victims of Hurricane Helene on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Read Next

This story was originally published October 4, 2024 at 6:10 PM.

Follow More of Our Reporting on Helene in North Carolina

See all stories
Related Stories from Raleigh News & Observer
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER

Hurricane Helene Aftermath

Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer about Hurricane Helene and the aftermath, particularly in Western North Carolina.

Back to Story