North Carolina

Photos: Western NC flood victims turn to faith and church in the face of disaster

By Robert Willett and Travis Long
Members of IChurch from Hickory, N.C. pray with Bob Smith, center, a Trustee of the Old Fort United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. More than four feet of water from Mill Creek flooded the building during Hurricane Helene. IChurch members volunteered their time on Saturday to shovel mud, and salvage items from the building.
Members of IChurch from Hickory, N.C. pray with Bob Smith, center, a Trustee of the Old Fort United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. More than four feet of water from Mill Creek flooded the building during Hurricane Helene. IChurch members volunteered their time on Saturday to shovel mud, and salvage items from the building. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Victims of Helene and the volunteers who have gathered to help them gathered in churches and parking lots for prayer and services Saturday and Sunday, a week after the disastrous storm’s initial impact on Western North Carolina.

See photos from some of those services and prayer circles here:

Congregants gather at the First Baptist Church in Waynesville on Sunday morning, Oct. 6, 2024. Waynesville is among the communities in western North Carolina impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Helene that caused catastrophic flooding.
Congregants gather at the First Baptist Church in Waynesville on Sunday morning, Oct. 6, 2024. Waynesville is among the communities in western North Carolina impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Helene that caused catastrophic flooding. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Pastor Austin Bullock presides over services in the parking lot at Salem Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. Still without power more than a week after Hurricane Helene, they gathered outside to sing, read scripture and comfort each other.
Pastor Austin Bullock presides over services in the parking lot at Salem Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. Still without power more than a week after Hurricane Helene, they gathered outside to sing, read scripture and comfort each other. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Kathy Ricker prays for those in need at Salem Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. Still without power more than a week after Hurricane Helene passed through the region, they gathered outside in the church parking lot.
Kathy Ricker prays for those in need at Salem Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. Still without power more than a week after Hurricane Helene passed through the region, they gathered outside in the church parking lot. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Worshipers pray against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Salem Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C.
Worshipers pray against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Salem Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Congregants pray at the First Baptist Church in Waynesville on Sunday morning, Oct. 6, 2024. Waynesville is among the communities in western North Carolina impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Helene that caused catastrophic flooding.
Congregants pray at the First Baptist Church in Waynesville on Sunday morning, Oct. 6, 2024. Waynesville is among the communities in western North Carolina impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Helene that caused catastrophic flooding. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Congregants pray at the First Baptist Church in Waynesville on Sunday morning, Oct. 6, 2024. Waynesville is among the communities in western North Carolina impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Helene that caused catastrophic flooding.
Congregants pray at the First Baptist Church in Waynesville on Sunday morning, Oct. 6, 2024. Waynesville is among the communities in western North Carolina impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Helene that caused catastrophic flooding. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Johnny Bolick, a member of IChurch from Hickory, N.C., pushes a wheel barrow of debris from the sanctuary of Old Fort United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. More than four feet of water from Mill Creek flooded the building during Hurricane Helene.
Johnny Bolick, a member of IChurch from Hickory, N.C., pushes a wheel barrow of debris from the sanctuary of Old Fort United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. More than four feet of water from Mill Creek flooded the building during Hurricane Helene. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Randall Sigmon of Old Fort, moves salvaged items from the flooded sanctuary of Old Fort United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. More than four feet of water from Mill Creek flooded the building during Hurricane Helene.
Randall Sigmon of Old Fort, moves salvaged items from the flooded sanctuary of Old Fort United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. More than four feet of water from Mill Creek flooded the building during Hurricane Helene. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
A speck of wet mud is highlighted by the evening sun on a portrait of Jesus, salvaged from the sanctuary of Old Fort United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. More than four feet of water from Mill Creek flooded the building during Hurricane Helene.
A speck of wet mud is highlighted by the evening sun on a portrait of Jesus, salvaged from the sanctuary of Old Fort United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. More than four feet of water from Mill Creek flooded the building during Hurricane Helene. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Members of IChurch from Hickory, N.C. pray with Bob Smith, center, a Trustee of the Old Fort United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. More than four feet of water from Mill Creek flooded the building during Hurricane Helene. IChurch members volunteered their time on Saturday to shovel mud, and salvage items from the building.
Members of IChurch from Hickory, N.C. pray with Bob Smith, center, a Trustee of the Old Fort United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. More than four feet of water from Mill Creek flooded the building during Hurricane Helene. IChurch members volunteered their time on Saturday to shovel mud, and salvage items from the building. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published October 6, 2024 at 11:54 AM.

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