PHOTOS: Inside the mountain town that Hurricane Helene nearly wiped off the map
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Helene-One-Town Volunteer firefighter Ric Thurlby checks messages as Hickory Nut Falls flows above and the ruined town of Chimney Rock Village, N.C., lies below on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed) (Allen G. Breed/AP)
Helene-One-Town Mayor Peter O'Leary, right, and town administrator Stephen Duncan confer over papers outside the volunteer fire department in Chimney Rock Village, N.C., on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Allen. G. Breed) (Allen G. Breed/AP)
Hurricane Helene A washed out road is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Homes are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Debris covers a field in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Business are seen in a debris field in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Two Sheriff deputies walk on the main street in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene A road sign sticks in the mud where a road was in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Business are seen in a debris field in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene An American flag flies half-staff on top of Chimney Rock mountain in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Workers survey damage where a road once existed in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Business are seen in a debris field in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene Debris rests on a bridge in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
Hurricane Helene A home is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
