ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Several business owners are still recovering in Asheville following Helene. Many of them are forced to start all over.
Phil Shope, who owns CPS Welding and Repair, says his business was hit hard by Helene.
“It was just unprecedented to anything I've ever witnessed in my life," Shope said.
The roof was destroyed, doors were ripped, and mud was everywhere throughout his shop.
“We had at least a foot and a half going over our roof, and my roof was 15 feet off the ground," Shope said.
His business is currently at a standstill as recovery efforts continue. They spend every day working to rebuild. Shope is thankful to Mako Industries in Texas for their outpour of support.
"We're doing 12-hour days as hard as we can go right now,” Shope said.
Shope hopes support will remain in Western North Carolina even after Hurricane Milton hits Florida.
N.C. Governor Roy Cooper said resources will remain in North Carolina for as long as is necessary.
"I’ve assured families and local officials that are on the ground that we will pursue all available assistance for the area's long-term recovery,” Cooper said.
Shope understands there’s a long road to recovery with his business, but there’s no quit in the Asheville native.
“It's time to get back to work, you know, because if we don't rebuild our community, there is not going to be a community to come back to," Shope added.
His community has also started a gofundme as recovery efforts continue.