Volunteers brave cold to aid flood-hit families in western North Carolina

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Families in western North Carolina are relying on relief organizations for food, clothing, and warmth as they recover from Helene.

ALSO READ: Ingles reports $35M in losses from Hurricane Helene

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty went to Swannanoa Tuesday where volunteers were still arriving from out of state to help as temperatures hover near freezing.

Faherty spoke with volunteers from New York and Florida who are still arriving in this area hit hard by the flooding.

The water reached some of the rooftops in the neighborhood damaging dozens of homes.

Outside of Blunt Pretzels in Swannanoa, volunteer James Thomas prepared meals for hundreds of people in the portable kitchen.

He has been in town for months from Florida volunteering. But now, he and others face a new challenge: Bitterly cold temperatures this week.

“Cold weather is going to happen,” Thomas said. “We’re going to do the best we can. When I saw what was happening here, this is something we haven’t seen before.”

Less than a mile away, Kristen Hicks and volunteers from Charlotte and New York were restocking the nonprofit, Blessing Barn.

They also had a bus bring supplies and clothing to families in the area.

With snow and ice in the forecast this week, the nonprofit is trying to help as many people as possible.

“I’m honored,” said Kristen Hicks, with The Blessing Barn. “I’m honored to be chosen as God’s hands and feet. It’s just a blessing to be a part of it.”

In Old Fort, the Davis Country Store has provided thousands of meals since the storm hit.

The owner, Amy Davis, said the chilling weather won’t stop the efforts there.

“Taking care of filling the freezer for the weekend, making sure they have propane,” Davis said. “We’ve been giving away the little propane tanks for the heaters, blankets and all of that.”

Davis said she’s also ensuring anyone who his homeless or possibly living in a tent has a warm place to stay during this cold snap.

Gov. Stein back in western North Carolina to survey Helene recovery efforts

Gov. Stein surveys Helene recovery efforts in Old Fort

For the second time since he took office last week, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein visited the western part of the state to survey Helene recovery efforts.

Gov. Stein, along with the Old Fort Mayor Pam Snypes, stopped by businesses extensively damaged by the storm.

“Businesses are reopening their doors, we’ve got to get housing rebuilt, tourists need to come back to Old Fort to support this local economy,” Stein told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty. “They’re ready to be welcoming people, we just need to be there for them.”

The governor signed five executive orders on his first day in office focused on recovery efforts for families and businesses in western North Carolina.

Right now, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is reporting thousands of people are still getting temporary housing assistance at motels in across the region.

Stein spoke with business owners struggling to recover. Old Fort’s mayor said the town relies heavily on tourism and folks have not come back.

Later on Tuesday, Stein’s team said he’s expected to travel to Asheville.

Alongside Adrianne Todman, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Stein is expected to make an announcement on Helene recovery efforts.

(WATCH BELOW: Stein signs 5 Helene recovery executive orders in first action as governor)