North Carolina Church Discovers Families Stranded By Hurricane Helene Damage, Raised Enough Money To Build A Bridge In 3 Weeks

It’s important to not forget about the people in the “Tarheel State.”

North Carolina and many other states are still trying to pick up the pieces after their communities were devastated by Hurricane Helene. The natural disaster moved up through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia at the end of September, and completely devastated mountain towns in western North Carolina.

That’s where much of the relief efforts are still ongoing. Though you might not hear about in the news cycle much anymore, some people are still without homes months later, and many North Carolina residents are just hoping for some sense of normalcy once again.

One way that normalcy is being restored is just trying to allow simple transportation access to some families that have been effectively cut off from main roads and bridges after the natural disaster. In fact, a news story is currently going viral after a Facebook post on a page called “Bridges For Avery” brought to light that multiple families are still trapped on their property, and no one has come to help them.

Millions have already been spent in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, but it still isn’t enough. And there are many private roads that the state won’t repair, so it’s up to the citizens of North Carolina to fund those projects themselves. That’s why some people – and many different organizations – banded together in Avery County to provide assistance for those in need.

Henry Watterson, a pastor at Reeds Baptist Church, sprung into action when he found out that some North Carolina residents were still stranded – as he told WBTV:

“I saw a Facebook post that there were families that were still trapped that could not get off their property. I thought it had to be fake. So I contacted the individual to see if this was a true story. Not only was it true, but it was worse than I thought. It wasn’t just one family, and it wasn’t just this property. There were many families and many properties of people still cut off from access that cannot get off their property without driving through a river.”

A fundraiser was organized through the North Carolina church and a local restaurant, and within three weeks, enough money was raised to build a bridge. The 90 foot bridge that weighs 50,000 pounds was installed earlier today, giving some residents their first access to regular life since last September.

#BREAKING: A small church in Western North Carolina discovered a group of families still cut off from access to roads in Avery County NC.

Within 3 weeks the congregation raised enough money to build them a new 90 foot bridge for FREE.

It was installed today. pic.twitter.com/WQKxiiwieQ

— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) April 9, 2025

Things you love to see.

Though it’s a lovely story, it’s wild to think that some people have basically had their access cut off for over six months now. It just goes to show you that there’s still plenty of work to be done in North Carolina, and pastor Henry Watterson thinks that this is – at the very least – a great step in the right direction:

“The churches, the Samaritan’s purse, the non-profit organizations, the community, the people have done spectacular things for each other. Praise God for all of the people that have donated to help each other out with food, goods, items, money, time and resources. I believe God expects us to do these types of things, and I believe that’s a beautiful thing.”

It truly is a beautiful thing to see people helping people, and those on social media were certainly moved when they came across the inspiring story:

People taking care of people!

— MoSmith (@MoSmithHMC) April 9, 2025

This is US I know and love.

— Tracie Evans (@e58462819) April 9, 2025

Love it. Neighbors helping neighbors. People helping people. Didn’t ask about their politics or what signs they had in their yard, they just wanted to help. Godspeed

— Emil Emanuel (@emilhe1981) April 9, 2025

Incredible what good humans are capable of unbelievable that people have been suffering for so long in WNC

— BourbonOcean (@BourbonOcean) April 9, 2025

Thank you! This is what Americans do. GOD bless you for being kind & present.

— CajunLady (@Cajun_USA) April 9, 2025