Helene: A Journey of Hope (Mitchell County)
MITCHELL COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — This week of News 13's series "Helene: A Journey of Hope" takes us to Mitchell County six months after Hurricane Helene tore through the area.
News 13's Karen Wynne takes us through the county after half a year of recovery and resilience.
In Spruce Pine, the writing on the wall in the visitor center says it all. Hurricane Helene pushed eight-and-a-half feet of water through the heart of downtown. Yet, they are determined to build it back better than before.
"[The] water line’s right here, right here on this light fixture," said David Niven, pointing to the line close to the ceiling of his coffee shop.
HELENE: A JOURNEY OF HOPE (RIVER ARTS DISTRICT)
A television hanging high on one of the walls also has a water line.
"That’s actually going to go in the shadow box," Niven said of the TV.
Niven owns DT's Blue Ridge Java coffee shop. He says he and his wife were just four years away from retirement when Hurricane Helene rerouted their plans.
"We have to rebuild this for the town," said Niven. "The living room of Spruce Pine is how we’re known and we’ve got to find a way to give it back to the town."
Grants and donations have helped some. But Niven says he will never recover all he has lost. But his family pushes on, planning to reopen the coffee shop in the over 100-year-old building by June 1.
"We’re putting in a commercial kitchen now so we’ve got a grill, we’ve got ovens and we can enhance what we’re doing," Niven explained.
HELENE: A JOURNEY OF HOPE (SWANNANOA)
"The Toe River flooded 30 feet to come over the riverbanks and flood down here," said Downtown Spruce Pine's Executive Director Spencer Bost.
Bost says Spruce Pine's tourism fell by 25% after Helene.
"We’re a small town of 2,000 people; 25% is everything," said Bost.
Bost says even though Helene damage is highly visible, one of the best ways to help Spruce Pine is to visit the town.
"We’re open. We want people to come and see us. We’re still a little fragile," said Bost.
Jeff Gouge, owner of Gouge Oil, showed News 13 his business's watermark from Helene, near the roof of the office.
"[It] took three or four days to get the mud off of this place," recalled Gouge. "We immediately were helping emergency management folks with fuel needs for fire trucks, rescue vehicles, generators."
HELENE: A JOURNEY OF HOPE (HOT SPRINGS)
Gouge says while Mitchell County will never return to what it was pre-Helene, moving forward is his only choice.
"I’ve got a son working in the business. We can’t lay down," said Gouge.
Near Bakersville, longtime restaurant Bonnie and Clyde's was one of the first businesses in the area to re open.
"The American cuisine. This is burgers, fries, down-home country eating," said employee Shae Deyton.
She says the restaurant became more of a hub and source of comfort after the storm.
"We’ve had a lot of customers come in and share their experiences with us," said Deyton.
HELENE: A JOURNEY OF HOPE (FAIRVIEW)
Across from Bonnie and Clyde's is Loafers Glory Rafting and Tubing.
"We are 100% sure we will return to business," said owner Holly Walker. "The river portion of that may not happen. We will have to wait and see. There are lots of variables involved there. But, guests' safety is number one."
Walker says the store will open from May through September.
"It might just be us selling merchandise and offering our property for the community to use, as well," says Walker.
Niven, Bost, Gouge, Deyton and Walker all know their journey of hope will be a long one, but one they must travel.
"2025 might be a building year, but 2026 I think we’ll be back to business as usual," said Walker.
"Hope is all we’ve got, so we’ve got to keep going," said Niven.
