In the mountains of western North Carolina, we’re no stranger to severe weather. But when Hurricane Helene tore through our region, it didn’t just down trees and knock out power — it severed the entire communication infrastructure for thousands and seriously damaged the City of Asheville’s water system, leaving about 10,000 residents without access to clean drinking water for over 50 days. Roads were impassable, phone service was spotty and people needed real-time information to stay safe and make decisions.
In that moment, Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR) became a lifeline.
Our reporters worked around the clock to provide updates on shelter openings, flood reports, power restoration timelines and emergency instructions. The BPR newsroom was a frontline news resource for residents and national audiences alike…