It’s been one year since Hurricane Helene tore through Southwest Virginia, leaving behind collapsed bridges, vanished homes, and entire communities forced to start over. In this episode of The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Lisa Rowan sits down with Southwest Virginia reporter Susan Cameron to revisit the towns hit hardest by the storm — and to hear how people are rebuilding not just their homes, but their lives.

From neighbors helping neighbors to the tireless volunteers still on the ground, this is a story of resilience, community, and hope amid the wreckage. And as recovery continues, Susan and Lisa also explore what can be done to prepare for future floods — and how lessons from Helene may help protect Virginia’s mountain communities the next time disaster strikes.