Whether dealing with deep snows in winter or severe thunderstorms in summer, the people of Asheville consider themselves weather-resilient.

Hurricane Helene hammered the southeast at the end of September, killing at least 62 people, but the long-term damage from the storm is still being felt in places like North Carolina. There, scores of people are facing eviction as the state struggles with a combination economic-housing crisis.

Shawn Hendrix, a Mr. Beast employee, spoke to Top Story about ongoing relief efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. He noted significant cleanup and rebuilding progress but emphasized that those struggling before the storm are now facing even greater challenges.

Toys for Tots anticipates a greater need this year for donations in western North Carolina after the Helene disaster.

North Carolina is the country’s second-largest producer of Christmas trees, and most of Louisiana's live Christmas trees come from Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. It's the closest climate where popular species such as the Fraser and Turkish firs sold by the Pollard family can be grown.

“This beautiful Frasier fir was grown at the Cartner Christmas Tree Farm, where the Cartner family has been growing trees for more than 60 years. Their farm is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, a region that was recently devastated by Hurricane Helene.

Some tenants who could barely afford rent in western North Carolina before Hurricane Helene have fallen behind and are now facing the possibility of eviction.