North Carolina Honors Heroes After Hurricane Helene

In 2024, Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina hard, especially in the western mountains. The storm brought record rainfall, with 24 inches at Mount Mitchell and nearly 31 inches in Busick. This caused massive flooding, over $60 billion in damages, and more than 100 deaths. Phone and internet services were knocked out, making it hard for people to communicate or get help. Kathie Dello, North Carolina's state climatologist, saw the storm coming. She noticed something was wrong when calls stopped coming in from the affected areas. Dello knew the data she had could help tell the story of what was happening. She stepped up to use science to share what was going on until people could speak for themselves. Dello's quick thinking and hard work earned her a spot among the six recipients of the 2025 North Carolina Award. The North Carolina Award started in 1961 to honor people who have made big contributions to the state. This year, the ceremony was held in Asheville instead of Raleigh. The event raised nearly $200, 000 for recovery efforts in the aftermath of Helene. Other winners included musicians Woody Platt and Buddy Melton, novelist Wiley Cash, civil rights attorney James Ferguson, and basketball coach Roy Williams. Each of them made significant impacts in their fields. For example, Woody Platt helped shape modern bluegrass music and worked on river restoration projects. Buddy Melton, a fiddler and singer, has performed on big stages and won many awards. Wiley Cash is a best-selling author and teaches writing at UNC Asheville. James Ferguson was a key figure in the civil rights movement, fighting for school desegregation and defending the Wilmington 10. Roy Williams is a legendary basketball coach with a long list of wins and championships. During the awards, eight "Helene Heroes" were also recognized. These individuals and groups went above and beyond to help their communities recover. For instance, Claire Neal and her team at MANNA Food Bank set up emergency food distribution hubs after their operations were destroyed. Duke Energy workers Matt Martinka and Nathan Curlee hiked through rough terrain to restore power to the Asheville VA Medical Center. Nurse Amanda Watts set up a field hospital to provide medical care. The Bridge Church in Hendersonville served thousands of hot meals to families in need. Eric Church and his wife Katherine raised millions to rebuild homes lost in the storm. The awards highlighted the importance of community support and resilience in the face of disaster. It's a reminder that everyone has the power to make a difference, especially when things get tough.