Students return to school in Burke County following major flooding by Helene

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Thousands of students in Burke County Schools returned to the classroom on Wednesday.

The district said it has come a long way since being underwater in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.

The ball fields and field houses at Freedom High School were underwater after being flooded by the Catawba River.

After the water began receding, the baseball team, other students, and parents went to work helping their coach, whose house flooded.

Those students shared photos of them removing items from the coach’s home.

Recovering after Helene: Meck County leaders get update on storm damage

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty spoke with one of the teachers who pitched in to help.

“We went out just about every day. And it wasn’t just us; it was their teammates, their friends. They all showed up, and they showed up big,” teacher Jennifer Miller said.

The principal is glad to see students back.

“We are certainly glad to have our students back on campus today,” said Principal Shanda Epley. “This gives us another opportunity for a check-in to make sure families are safe.”

The athletic fields were still off-limits. The football team at Freedom High will play its home games at other schools in the area.

Schools reopened in McDowell County but Old Fort Elementary School remained closed because of flood damage.

VIDEO: Recovering after Helene: Meck County leaders get update on storm damage