LANSING, North Carolina — In the wake of Helene, community members in western North Carolina's mountains have banded together to lift each other up. That was especially evident for Amy Blevins, who owns the Lansing Trading Company in the small town of Lansing nestled in Ashe County.
Much of Lansing's main strip was destroyed. Owning a store along it was a dream for Blevins. But the storm wrought its havoc in the mountains and on the embroidery and screen printing shop.
"The waterline - we measured yesterday - is 96 inches," Blevins told WCNC Charlotte on Wednesday.
Flood water poured in and filled the crevices of the small storefront. And it all happened right as dreams of expanding Lansing Trading Company were just coming to fruition.
"Wednesday, we just signed on our first industrial steamer," Blevins said. She estimated the losses to be about $215,000.
But already, her neighbors are offering an open hand to help with.
"One of our preacher friends reached out and they brought a huge truck load today," she said. "We've had people give us wads of money, just give it to us and trying to get us help."
Blevins is now working to stitch back together her life. But she's seeing threads of hope weaving in.
"You're in God's country," she said. "I've got chill bumps talking about it."
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.