Located in Boone, North Carolina, Freddie Pell carefully moves a vintage wooden chair back into his art gallery as rain begins to fall. Inside, workers are busy mopping up muddy puddles left behind by Tropical Storm Helene, which caused water to rise a foot high on the walls. Most of the art pieces are safe on the walls, but the aftermath of the storm has left downtown Boone with a lot of cleanup to do, affecting the town’s tourism-dependent economy.
The storm has knocked out power and cell service in Watauga County, causing roads to be washed out and leaving residents trapped. Downed trees and sagging power lines line the highway leading to downtown Boone, where the sidewalks are marked with mud from the storm. Business owners like Paul Tuttle are assessing the damage and trying to reopen to serve their community in need.
With the peak tourist season fast approaching, business owners like Tuttle are worried about the impact of the storm on their revenue. The uncertainty surrounding the reopening of businesses and the return of students from Appalachian State University, coupled with the cancellation of classes, is causing concern among the local community. The university itself has been converted into an emergency shelter, highlighting the extent of the devastation.