MONTREAT, N.C. — As North Carolina continues the efforts to pick up the pieces from Hurricane Helene’s destruction, those in the town of Montreat are doing what they can to rebuild.

What You Need To Know

  • As North Carolina continues the efforts to pick up the pieces from Hurricane Helene’s destruction, the town of Montreat is doing what it can to rebuild

  • The storm had rushing water from every angle

  • The town of Montreat said it will take months to years to rebuild bridges and roads

 People in town said rebuilding isn’t easy, but it’s a necessary step forward. 

“Everybody talks that it’s catastrophic and it is. Montreat has definitely changed. The destruction is unbelievable,” Carroll Neville said.

Neville considers Montreat home. His family has a summer home nearby, and it’s a spot they’ve been traveling to for more than 70 years. 

“It’s a two-bedroom cabin. It’s about 115 years old,” Neville said.

When news spread of Hurricane Helene’s destruction, Neville knew he had to check on his summer home. 

Heading to his property, there are downed power lines and utility crews working in the area. 

Neville considers himself lucky. 

In a place full of natural beauty, he’s choosing to keep his inner peace. His roof has been punctured by a nearby tree. He said things could always be worse. 

“But the majority of the damage landed nearby. Had it been 10 feet to the left, this house wouldn’t be standing,” Neville said.

And this storm had water rushing from every angle.

Along Collegiate Drive in Montreat, there's a distribution drive available for anyone who wants to stop by. (Spectrum News/Devin Martin)
Along Collegiate Drive in Montreat, there's a distribution drive available for anyone who wants to stop by. (Spectrum News 1/Devin Martin)

Pictures and videos show how fast everything happened. 

Water is running everywhere. This place of peace turned into anything but that. 

Now the storm's aftermath is what remains. But there is hope. A distribution center has been set up for anyone who wants to stop by near Collegiate Circle. 

Kelli Angelle, a member of Cajun Airlift, has dealt with a fair share of hurricanes in the past and continues to look for ways to help. 

She’s been completing search and rescue missions. 

“We know what we’re doing, because we deal with disasters so often. It’s the little things every day. We know it’s going to comfort them,” Angelle said.

After all, it’s all about taking it one day at a time. 

“Now we’re focusing on rebuilding. A lot of the cleanup has been done and now we’re shifting gears to rebuilding,” Montreat Town Manager Savannah Parrish said.

Parrish said it will take months to years to rebuild bridges and roads.