LAKE LURE, N.C. — In the wake of Hurricane Helene, countless communities across the Carolinas have come together to raise funds, donate supplies and deliver necessities to those impacted by the storm.
It's a similar scene in Lake Lure, where Helene's devastation nearly wiped out the beloved vacation town in Rutherford County.
“We asked the Lord to guide us in the right direction, and it brought us here,” Andrew Veigel, the owner of Ridgeline Heating and Cooling, said.
Community members are leaning on faith and each other during these challenging times.
“We couldn’t get ahold of anybody, but we knew by the pictures how bad it was, and we were prepared,” Veigel said. “We loaded up the car hauling 400 gallons of diesel, chainsaws and water.”
Veigel and Ronnie Hribar are spreading the word they're there to help people in Lake Lure as they try to pick up the pieces. One after another, donations continue to pour in to support neighbors in need.
Ricky Logan lost power when the storm hit.
"I've never seen something like this before, and I've lived here all my life," Logan said. "I'm 68 and never seen something like this."
Supplies, food and water are being flown in and out thanks to kind people with helicopters.
“We’re able to go to those remote locations where people can’t get out,” Veigel said. “There are still people who are stranded in the mountains.”
Hribar said they were able to get a generator to a family with five kids. They brought the children back down the mountain with a thank you card that's hanging on the door.
Every meal packed is a symbol of hope and encouragement. They're often packed with notes made by kids saying, 'It's going to be OK,' and "You're a star" to show their appreciation for volunteers.
“We’re surviving; we’re surviving,” Logan said as he picked up supplies and a warm meal. "It means a whole lot. It tells me people do care."
People are coming together in good faith to get through the storm.
“I get emotional thinking about it,” Hribar said. “But it’s community, people helping people all in the name of the Lord.”
“This is a long-term thing,” Veigel said already looking for ways to provide more support. “Not just two weeks, and we get back to normal. It’s going to be months.”
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.