They knew Hurricanes Helene and Milton slammed the islands, but Wilson said months later, things are still different. “It’s completely displaced, there’s nobody really here,” said Wilson.

Korey Hampton sees progress every day as she works along the French Broad River. But, nine months after Hurricane Helene, there are still painful reminders and flashbacks.

When we last spoke to Cedar Island resident Jody Griffis, he and his wife just learned, even though their house was on stilts, Hurricane Helene had destroyed their home.