Nearly three weeks after Hurricane Helene, some mountain towns in western North Carolina are getting back to business, while others are still rebuilding.  

WCNC Charlotte spoke with the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce about how people can thoughtfully support local businesses this fall. 

This is a time for tourists to tread lightly. David Jackson, president and CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, said Helene hit just before the busiest season in the High Country. Local businesses need support this time of year, but it won't be business as usual for those still picking up the pieces. 

Jackson said to plan ahead -- a day trip may be welcomed, but an overnight stay in the mountains may look different this year. 

Also on WCNC Charlotte: How you can help people impacted by Helene

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.  
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education rejected a request that would have adopted a display of the Ten Commandments in schools.  

The display poster would have featured the Ten Commandments and the Bill of Rights.

School board member Brian Sloan was behind the proposal. He said the posters would be paid for by private donations, but other school board members worry any lawsuits against the district would have to be fought using the local budget. 

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/iredell-statesville-school-board-ten-commandments-poster/275-75a78e4c-cbbf-496b-8f72-468557f26660

Charlotte City leaders are set to vote on the future of a plan they hope eases traffic on Interstate 77. It's a story WCNC Charlotte has been following for months.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation says the best way to reduce congestion is a toll lane, built by a private developer. But the project comes with the highest price tag in state history.

ALSO ON WCNC CHARLOTTE: SHARE THE WARMTH | How you can help people impacted by Helene

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.  
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

What started as a couple of volunteers looking to help western North Carolina in the wake of Helene has now grown into an effort resulting in hundreds of donations and several volunteers strong.

"Next thing you know, it just turns into a caravan," said Bryan Pierce, one of the organizers.

Pierce teamed up with friends like Merissa Jones and Andy Fenstermaker to take supplies to the hardest-hit areas. For Jones, it's personal.

"I've been crying for two weeks," she said. "I'm going to try not to cry talking to you, but these are my neighbors."

Jones was in Hendersonville visiting her mother for her 70th birthday when the storm hit. They were trapped for days without power.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/friends-donation-caravan-charlotte-nc-helene-10-10-2024/275-c7a928c6-3daa-4478-aea8-f77e662ec355

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.  
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

As Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency promised they are not leaving western North Carolina behind.

"I want to assure the people of North Carolina that while we watch Hurricane Milton approach the coast of Florida, you can be assured that no resources are going to be taken from North Carolina," Administrator Deanne Criswell said on Wednesday standing alongside North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. "Those that are here on the ground are here to support the efforts that are still needed in the initial recovery."

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/helene-relief-recovery-briefing-north-carolina-governor-roy-cooper/275-f96dac12-fd1a-458e-ae13-45950817a96b

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.  
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

North Carolina lawmakers are expected to pass a multi-million dollar relief bill on Wednesday as the state deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 

House Speaker Tim Moore said the $273 million bill will just be a drop in the bucket for the total cost of recovery. In fact, current estimates put damage costs north of $10 billion. 

Lawmakers are also adding another one day session on Oct. 24 for any additional disaster response needs. 

MORE HELENE NEWS: https://www.wcnc.com/section/helene

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.  
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

North Carolina election leaders met Monday to decide how voters will cast their ballots after Helene devastated part of the state.

In a unanimous bi-partisan vote, the state Board of Elections approved a list of emergency measures for the hardest hit areas, including allowing affected voters to request and receive absentee ballots in person at their county elections office up until the day before the election and reassigning poll workers where needed to fill staffing gaps.

“Today’s actions allow us to move forward, adapt to the circumstances these counties and voters face, and ensure every eligible voter is able to cast their ballot," Karen Brinson Bell, Executive Director of the North Carolina Board of Elections, said. 

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/voters-in-communities-devastated-by-helene-helped-by-changes/275-87a3b7f7-936d-45aa-aac0-89320d261270

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.  
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will be back in Western North Carolina on Monday, where he's expected to give an update on recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene. 

His visit comes as the state passes a grim milestone. The storm is now being blamed for 115 deaths in North Carolina alone, as the total death toll climbs to 235. 

Neighbors in both North Carolina and South Carolina are in dire need of a hand in the wake of Helene. Here's how to help: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/community/red-cross-helene-assistance-donations-9-27-2024/275-e3a7980a-c226-4bc1-851a-4e3274520fe6

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.  
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

Cooper toured Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties during Thursday's trip to Boone. Those counties include some of the hardest-hit areas in the whole state, such as Blowing Rock and Newland. Cooper confirmed that 60 people have died in North Carolina due to Helene but said that number will increase as crews reach more remote areas that have been isolated since the storm. 

"To wake up one morning and everything that you own be gone is a tragic situation," Cooper said. "This is an unprecedented situation that's going to require an unprecedented response." 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/roy-cooper-tour-storm-damage-ashe-avery-watauga-counties-impacts/275-dc27542c-3b3f-4519-86e7-3e5e8c0d9f4b

Donate money

WCNC Charlotte partnered with the American Red Cross to help gather donations to go to efforts that will help people impacted by Helene. We've launched a special web page where you can either select a monetary amount or enter your own. You can make donations using a credit card or PayPal account.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

If you wish to donate by mail, you can print and fill out a donation form and mail it to:

American Red Cross 
PO Box 37839
Boone, IA 50037-0839

Donations can also be made via phone at:

1-800-435-7669
TDD Operator: 1-800-220-4095

Samaritan's Purse (Headquartered in Boone)

United Way North Carolina Helene Recovery fundraiser

Salvation Army Hurricane Helene Relief donation page

The death toll from Hurricane Helene climbed again to 190 confirmed deaths, including at least 94 people in North Carolina. Helene is now the fifth-deadliest hurricane in U.S. history, with more deaths expected as search crews reach isolated areas in the Appalachian Mountains. 

President Joe Biden flew over toppled trees, twisted metal and towering piles of debris in the normally tourist friendly downtown of Asheville, North Carolina, on Wednesday, as he took a tour by helicopter of Hurricane Helene 's path of destruction. At the same time, Vice President Kamala Harris was getting her own look at the storm's damage in Georgia.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/helene-aftermath-biden-harris-tour-damaged-southeast-us/507-5d14bb2c-63e1-4d70-b903-2aa949b5ef22

WCNC Charlotte is hosting a phone bank Thursday, Oct. 3 from 8 a.m. through 7 p.m. alongside the American Red Cross to accept donations. Call 704-329-3703 to make a donation.

The Charlotte Knights and iHeartMedia Charlotte partnered to host a Hurricane Helene supply drive on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Truist Field.

WCNC Charlotte partnered with the American Red Cross to help gather donations to go to efforts that will help people impacted by Helene. We've launched a special web page where you can either select a monetary amount or enter your own. You can make donations using a credit card or PayPal account.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE