On the anniversary of Helene’s rampage in western North Carolina, a conversation with one Mitchell County pastor on ruin and recovery.
Rev. Holly McKim became the pastor at Spruce Pine United Methodist Church in July 2024. She didn’t know that within weeks, she would be helping lead her congregation through one of the toughest times in the community’s history.
Much of the community was without water and power for weeks after Hurricane Helene, leaving people in need of food, temporary shelter, and basic necessities. Volunteers at the church and from the community stepped up to serve.
READ MORE: A year after Helene devastated their towns, western NC leaders discuss the road to recovery
Rev. McKim says volunteers provided meals to at least 8,000 people and housed volunteer teams there to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
“We have worked together, and we will continue to work together. God is good and God has seen us through,” she said, reflecting on the one-year anniversary of the storm on Sept. 27.
