The crew travels to Western North Carolina to meet five families working to rebuild their homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Helene. Each homeowner shares their story with Kevin O’Connor, recounting the day of the storm and the steps they took to stay safe.
In North Asheville, Jenn Nawada tours the home of a family of four, where homeowner Matt describes the damage caused when multiple trees crashed through their roof and the harrowing experience the family endured.
Kevin then heads to Swannanoa, a town just east of Asheville, to meet Jim and Allie, one of three neighboring families who together are working with the same builder. They walk Kevin through the terrifying moment when the Swannanoa River surged, submerging their home and forcing them to take refuge on a roof until other neighbors arrived with kayaks to rescue them.
Meanwhile, Richard Trethewey visits Paula in East Asheville, where flooding from the same river forced her to escape to higher ground. Later, Kevin reunites with Tom Silva, Jenn, Richard, and local contractors Chris Cronin and Nick Swann at Jim and Allie’s house, where the team begins planning the path forward to help these families rebuild.
Original Air Date: Sep 25, 2025, Season 47; Ep. 1 23:42
Products and Resources
- Contractors and services:
Balsam Built
Ward Enterprises
Old North State Building Company - Side trips:
Cedar Crest Inn
Peri Social House - Location: Explore Asheville
