Hurricane Helene survivor rebuilds life in Ashe County with community support

As Christmas approaches and we mark three months since Hurricane Helene, WRAL News speaks with a woman who survived some of the storm’s most devastating impacts.

Three months later, life for Leslie Worth has started to return to somewhat normal. 

“We take it one day at a time, but we’re doing pretty well,” Worth said. 

Pretty well, after this.

When Helene’s floodwaters turned the New River in Ashe County into a torrent, Worth’s home was swept away, with her inside. 

Only the quick thinking of a bystander, Eddie Hunnell, saw her pulled to safety.

“I mean, we’re not used to this kind of destruction,” Worth said. 

In the months since, Worth, and her husband, Phil, both retired, have established a new normal. 

Taking refuge at a friends cabin, and leaning on the support provided by other friends and neighbors. 

“I think the support helped us survive really, emotionally and physically,” she said. 

More help is on the way to those who haven’t been as fortunate. 

Included in the federal government’s stopgap spending bill,
signed by President Biden yesterday, is $100 billion in disaster relief, with
at least $9 billion allocated for North Carolina.

Included in that total will be small business loans, housing, and road reconstruction. 

These funds join millions in state and individual donations
that have supported people like Worth.

“The support of family and community has been, it’s just been amazing. I mean, I just don’t think that we could even get halfway through this without that. It’s just such a support,” Worth said. 

Though their home is still gone, Worth and her family are
determined to make the best of Christmas. They’re thankful to be alive but know
their community, like many others, still has a long road ahead.

“That I think that makes our hearts hurt the worst,” Worth said. 

The family also shared a message for Eddie Hunnell, the Wake County man who rescued Leslie Worth.

It reads, “To Eddie-Thank you more than we can express. We are able to have a wonderful Holiday because of him and we are truly thankful for our newfound friendship.