Hurricane Helene survivors are protecting family heirlooms and mementos with help from the Smithsoni

The total damage from Hurricane Helene to North Carolina—be it physical, psychological or economic – is difficult to quantify. But the numbers reported by the Office of State Budget and Management are harrowing: over 100 deaths, US$59.6 billion in damages and thousands of homes destroyed, as of Dec. 13, 2024. More than two months after the storm struck land on Sep. 27, small businesses are still struggling to recover from the flooding and lost inventory. Families remain displaced,...