Guinn’s wife, Melissa, died after two mudslides hit their Avery County home. She was one of five people living in the ...

Yet, he persisted, approaching people in parking lots, grocery stores, and even motel rooms, where those displaced by Hurricane Helene are still sheltering three months after the devastating storm.

The storm upended the Christmas tree industry in the state’s western region. Now, farmers and residents are eager for the ...