CANTON, N.C. — A North Carolina high school is recovering again after Helene severely damaged major sports facilities.
Pisgah High School leaders said the football and softball fields were severely damaged from the storm.
The damages include extremely muddy fields, debris and broken down fencing.
These weather impacts come three years after Tropical Storm Fred unleashed its wrath on the area, resulting in the high school's football stadium, Pisgah Memorial Stadium, being temporarily shut down.
Athletic Director and head softball coach Heidi Morgan describes the situation as heartbreaking for students and athletes.
"My heart breaks for my kids, just because this was supposed to be the year we were back, everyone was back [and] we were where we needed to be," Morgan said. "But we are resilient. We'll get our hands dirty and rebuild. Canton community is strong, we've been through this before."
Morgan says they expect the softball field to be ready just in time for the Spring 2025 season.
As for the current football season, Morgan says they're hoping to be back on schedule very soon.
"We're on pause right now. No athletics this week, which is completely understandable. We're waiting to hear about next week. Once we're able to start practice and play again, our football team will practice at the high school, and then we'll be displaced to another field to play out those games. We're being patient for answers about what we're allowed to do," Morgan said.
This storm happened at a time when the town is continuing to rebound from the 2023 paper mill closure, impacting neighbors across western North Carolina.
Town of Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers says the destruction happening again is difficult to see.
"We were told our businesses and the football stadium [needed to make] these repairs so they're out of the flood zone so you don't have to worry about this anymore, so guess what happened, they flooded," Smathers. "Sadly, there's a new normal. Three years ago we were told what we suffered was a once in a lifetime storm. I think this time our mindset is going to be different because it seems sadly that western North Carolina is now a hurricane alley. Not [looking at it like] it's once in a lifetime but it could be every year.
"When you go through a storm like three years ago, something changes and you gain experience. We know that another national storm will hit. I hope no area has to go through the lack of telecommunications we suffered. It's slowly coming back."
Smathers says the past obstacles show that his town is able recover and rebuild again.
"These stadiums mean so much more than just games here and there, this is where people gather," Smathers said. "We're going to rebuild because the alternative is leaving and giving up, quitting and running away. I know the grit and grace of not just Haywood County but the entire Western region. We're going to rebuild these stadiums. I have no doubt in time we once again will be there supporting our Black Bears. I couldn't be prouder of our people."