Posted on the EdNC website on September 24, 2025
One year ago, a hurricane made its way into the Appalachian mountain range. After days of rain, wind, landslides, and floods, the region began cutting itself out of North Carolina’s largest natural disaster.
At EdNC, we headed west to report on the storm’s aftermath and the status of public schools in the area. The region was in crisis, but relief and recovery were already underway thanks to local first responders and essential workers.
Those people who are called to serve and save — EMTs and paramedics, electrical lineworkers and firefighters — are all trained in the community college system.
This is a one-hour audio special of first-person perspectives from people who lived through Helene and helped in its wake. If you are interested in diving further into each story, see our series from May 2025.
Thank you to everyone who spoke to us for this collection. It is because of them that the region remains resilient.
Running Towards Disaster episode
- Listen to the Running Towards Disaster - Helene Anniversary Special podcast on Spotify.
