Resilience
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, then roared hundreds of miles inland to the mountains of western North Carolina. Record-breaking winds, rain, and floods damaged or destroyed areas across the region. More than 100 neighbors lost their lives. Power and water were out for weeks. North Carolina’s governor called it “the worst storm in our state’s history.”
To start to process the devastation, more than two dozen of the region’s finest writers and artists turned to their craft in the first few weeks after the storm. They’ve distilled emotions and events that are far too big to convey in photos or videos, and have captured the sense of selfless community spirit that has now enveloped our mountain towns.
All book profits benefit local recovery efforts.
“While acknowledging the tragedy wrought by Hurricane Helene, Stronger than the Storm more often inspires us with these writers’ sense of community, resilience, and hope. Shelley McKechnie is to be commended for the volume’s significant contribution in helping our region begin to heal.”
Ron Rash — Award-winning author of New York Times bestseller Serena and other critically acclaimed work and the Parris Distinguished Professor in Appalachian Cultural Studies at Western Carolina University.