Toys for Tots anticipates a greater need this year for donations in western North Carolina after the Helene disaster.

According to FEMA, 33 families have temporary homes to call their own in Western North Carolina as of Thanksgiving and nearly 500 families have been approved for housing. FEMA is paying hotel costs for almost 12,000 survivors in the state. The federal agency has already paid more than $ 940,000 to help survivors with their rent.

Equipment operators from across the country came to Western North Carolina to assist in cleanup from Tropical Storm Helene.

Hurricane Helene took out critical infrastructure in western North Carolina, specifically water systems that were already under much strain.

Some tenants who could barely afford rent in western North Carolina before Hurricane Helene have fallen behind and are now facing the possibility of eviction.

It’s been two months since Hurricane Helene cut a path of deadly destruction across the Southeast. Ahead of the holiday season, PBS News returned to the hard-hit region of western North Carolina, where despite the challenges they face rebuilding their lives,