Next Episode: E2: Family Survival
When Hurricane Helene struck on September 24, 2024, its landfall may have been hundreds of miles away, but in the mountains of North Carolina, its force was felt in devastating ways. In this web exclusive, This Old House shares the stories of families in Asheville and surrounding communities who lived through the storm and its aftermath.
For Jim and Allie Bourdy in Swannanoa, preparation looked like cleaning gutters, filling the bathtub, and getting out the camping stove—expecting just another heavy rain. A few miles upstream, Paula Hennon wasn’t worried either; his home had never been touched by floodwaters. And high on a mountain ridge, Matt and Melinda Self believed they’d be safe from flooding. But as Helene intensified into a Category 4 storm, each of these families learned that safety wasn’t guaranteed.
Over two relentless days of rain and wind, Asheville saw rivers overflow, trees topple, and homes battered by gusts unlike anything residents had experienced before. The Selfs described the terrifying moment when about half a dozen trees crashed into their house, tearing off part of the roof and sending water gushing through walls and fixtures. “I realized I had put us at risk,” Matt admits.
Meanwhile, neighbors watched cars float away, driveways blocked by fallen timber, and water levels rising in communities that never expected to flood. For many, it was a stark reminder of how quickly weather can change—and how much preparation really matters.
These stories aren’t just about destruction; they’re about resilience. Families leaned on neighbors, improvised for safety, and, in some cases, found moments of light—like turning a night in the basement into a family movie campout for the kids.
Watch the video to see how North Carolina families endured Hurricane Helene—and what it taught them about resilience, preparedness, and the meaning of home.
