Helene documentary highlights Burke County's storm response

It’s been nearly a year since Hurricane Helene swept across Burke County, leaving devastation in its wake.

At the Catawba River Soccer Complex on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m., the Burke County Government and the City of Morganton will premiere a documentary that illuminates the ripple effects of the storm on the county.

Seating, refreshments, and a raffle will be provided at the free, open-to-the-public event.

While acknowledging the feats and interconnectedness of the community, “Helene: Rising from Catastrophe to Resilience in One Year" also illuminates the work that needs to be done.

“It would be wrong for us not to be able to tell the story of Helene,” Burke County Public Information Officer (PIO) Chris White said. “It was such a big event — a once in a thousand year event. Something we hope none of us ever see again, but something that people 50 years from now can look back on and remember the devastation that took place.”

Over two dozen people contributed stories of the storm’s devastation. First responders, linemen, and business owners are among the highlighted heroes featured in the unscripted documentary.

City of Morganton PIO Jonelle Sigmon said, “You’ll see — we call it B-roll footage — but footage in this documentary that’s very raw and real and you see almost behind the scenes of what they had to go through during Helene.”

While White works as the PIO, he also manages emergency calls as the Assistant 911 Director for Burke County. He said that on the weekend of the storm, an influx of nearly 4,800 calls poured in over 72 hours — that’s a stark contrast to the average 1,350 to 1,800 calls received in a normal 72-hour span.

“These are not just 4,000 calls of people calling, needing their electric restored, needing this, needing that,” White said, “These calls are people that are stranded in floodwater — not just in Burke County.”

As the damage swept across the surrounding McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties, cell phone towers and infrastructures washed out, forcing calls to reroute to Burke emergency services.

Once the Burke 911 center’s service went out, calls rerouted to Catawba. White said they sent operators a county over to answer phones and dispatch from there.

“We had a total of 73-75 [swiftwater] rescues,” White said. “We did highlight two of them: the one where the crew ended up stranded for 12 to 16 hours in Fonta Flora, tied to a house because the water came up so quick, their boat couldn’t get out … then, the one at John’s River where the lady in the afternoon — the sun’s out bright and she’s going down 18. She tries to cross John’s River bridge and the water overcomes her vehicle and prompts a rescue — not just of her, but of the rescue team.”

White explained that the rescue team’s boat could not manage the swiftwater current. The rope used to save them still hangs in the tree they tied to while trying to stay alive, he said.

Both Sigmon and White hope the setting of the premiere will remind people of the tribulations that remain.

“When we say the location for this event is at the Catawba River Soccer Complex, I get looks,” Sigmon said. “That’s the point — the work we have to do from Helene is not over yet. The soccer complex is not back to the way it’s supposed to be.”

The premiere is free to the public and will also feature refreshments, seating, and a raffle.

Sigmon said for anyone unable to attend, the documentary will also be live-streamed on Channel 2 — Morganton’s cable channel — and the City of Morganton’s YouTube channel.

Burke County Manager Brian Epley said, “This documentary is more than a remembrance; it’s a time for the entire county to come together to celebrate the strength, unity, and compassion that emerged from a time of adversity. We honor every individual who played a part in responding to Hurricane Helene and in helping the community rebuild.”

The short film will focus on first responders, preparedness teams, residents and families, and community members still recovering from the long-term effects.

“Even though we have a long way to go in the recovery process,” Epley said, “We can still reflect on what we have overcome thus far.”