1 Year Later: Living in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

One year ago, on September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene roared across North and South Carolina, leaving behind a trail of destruction and heartbreak. The storm claimed lives, leveled homes, and upended thousands of families who are still struggling to recover today.

• North Carolina suffered at least 108 deaths and an estimated $53 billion in damage, making Helene one of the costliest disasters in the state’s history.

• South Carolina experienced 49 deaths, more than 5,000 homes damaged, and over 417,000 residents who registered for FEMA assistance.

While the headlines often focus on North Carolina, the pain and loss in South Carolina remain just as profound especially in rural counties where resources are limited and rebuilding is slow.

Who Has Been Hit Hardest

Helene’s impact fell most heavily on those who could least afford it: seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and low-income households. Many of these families were already balancing tight budgets, and when the storm struck, they faced a second crisis. Despite faithfully paying insurance premiums for years, countless homeowners received underpayments or denials from insurance companies, leaving them unable to cover essential repairs or meet steep deductibles.

These households are now left to navigate complex claims, mounting bills, and unsafe living conditions—all while trying to hold on to their homes. In York County, SC matters were exacerbated as families had experienced the April 20, 2024 Tornado that ravished the County months prior to Hurricane Helene.

AHFTC’s Response

At Affordable Housing for the Carolinas (AHFTC), our mission is clear: Helping Carolina residents overcome barriers to affordable housing and increase their quality of life. Within the past few months, we have:

• Replaced 3 roofs and repaired siding on 2 homes damaged by Helene.

• Cleared storm debris that had remained for months.

• Paid lapsed insurance premiums for families catching up financially.

• Guided homeowners through insurance claims to fight for fair settlements.

• Covered insurance deductibles when families could not afford them.

These efforts have brought relief to residents like Mrs. Baccus (pictured below in the jean jacket), a widowed homeowner whose insurer covered less than 10% of the cost to replace her storm-damaged roof, and her neighbor Mrs. Green (pictured below in Clemson Orange), who faced overwhelming repair expenses until AHFTC intervened. In addition to Hurricane Helene, their neighborhood was attempting to recover from the April 20, 2024 tornado that ripped through the city compounding their losses. Both women endured fallen trees that damaged their homes, fences, and personal property. AHFTC repaired Mrs. Baccus’s roof, and for Mrs. Green, the organization paid her insurance deductible and is repairing the siding on her home where wind and hail caused significant damage. Through partnerships with former City Councilman, Steve Love of Folkways CDC and Pastor Featherstone and his congregation at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Mc Connells, SC, volunteers and the AHFTC Board of Directors were able to remove debris and clear the dangerous trees from these neighboring properties, restoring much of the original beautification the homes had before the two storms of 2024, and providing critical relief and renewed hope.

The Work Ahead

Even with these successes, more than 20 families remain on our waitlist for help. Recovery will take years, not months, and many households are still living under tarps, with unrepaired roofs, or in homes that remain unsafe.

Thanks to the generous support of the Central Carolina Community Foundation, Walmart, and Energy United, AHFTC continues to fill the critical gaps left by federal and state aid. But the need is still great.

How You Can Help

As we honor the one-year mark of Hurricane Helene, we must also look forward. Together, we can ensure that families across both Carolinas have the resources they need to rebuild and stay in their homes.

• Volunteer: Over 20 families are waiting for assistance. Sign up to help → Volunteer Here

• Donate: Every gift supports roofs, repairs, and disaster recovery → Donate Here

Standing Strong

A year after Helene, much has been cleared, repaired, and rebuilt—but the road to full recovery is far from complete. AHFTC remains committed to walking alongside families as they rebuild not just their homes, but their hope for the future.

Together, we can ensure that Carolina families remain safe, secure, and still standing.