One year ago, Helene tore a path of destruction throughout the southern United States, as a hurricane and tropical storm that sent floodwaters crashing into communities. It devastated small mountain towns and historic estates, beachfront communities and a beloved National Park.
Many of the communities affected are in areas where USA TODAY Network journalists live and work. Those journalists took stock of their communities, chronicling the recovery and talking to people whose lives and livelihoods were upended.
Here are some of their stories.
Two sisters rebuild a business in Asheville
A year ago, Asheville Tea Company’s original tea blends were scattered in North Carolina, where the business had been headquartered until Helene wiped out the facility. It could have been the end of the woman-founded and -operated family business, which launched in 2016…