AVERY COUNTY, N.C. — Avery County was one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Helene two years ago this week.
On Tuesday FEMA approved funding that would move the county offices that flooded.
Seven peopled died in Avery County.
At the Avery Square at the courthouse, they’ll be dedicating a bench with the names of people in the county who died in Helene.
County leaders told Channel 9’s Dave Faherty that they hope to break ground next spring on a new senior center and county administrative building badly damaged by the storm.
Judy Venable showed us how high the water got inside her business Pack Rats. It sits right across from the Avery County administrative offices and senior center that have been closed and gutted since Helene.
Venable shared video of what the buildings looked like that day the storm hit, when the streets of Newland flooded.
“For me I think most of us are in some ways getting over it,” she said. “But do you really get over something like that? We were lucky. We only lost inventory. We didn’t lose life.”
James Richardson is living in a camper now donated by Avery County after his home and belongings were damaged by the high water. He is thankful for the help he has gotten and is hopeful he’ll be moving into a Habitat for Humanity home next year.
“I’m just blessed that they were able to help in the time of need,” said Richardson. “They’re wonderful. I have nothing but praise for them.”
Avery County plans on building its new senior center and administrative building on land along Highway 181.
Venable says her business was shutdown for seven months after the storm. She’ll never forget Helene or what came afterwards.
“So many people arrived from just everywhere to help,” said Venable.
We’re told the event for this weekend is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday. They’re hoping it will be a time of remembrance and a way to honor the lives lost there.
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