One month after Hurricane Helene devastated mountain towns in North Carolina, thousands of Buncombe County students returned to school. The storm caused catastrophic flooding and record-breaking rain, leaving many isolated and without communication for weeks. Students were excited to reconnect with friends and find some normalcy. The district has over 22,000 students in 45 schools and faced challenges in reorganizing bus routes due to damaged infrastructure.
Students at A.C. Reynolds High School expressed joy at being back and reuniting with their friends, even amidst the devastation in their community. The marching band practiced for their first home football game since the storm, bringing happiness and normalcy back to students. The district superintendent was relieved to welcome students back, aware of the difficulties they faced during the storm.
While the students were excited to return, many still lacked power, water, and internet access at home. The district extended the semester to help students readjust and recover from the trauma of the storm. Parents expressed nervousness about the return to school given the massive losses experienced by many in the community, but they were grateful for the support provided by the district. Overall, the community was coming together to provide support and help each other navigate through this challenging time.
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