---
title: "Yancey County holds 2-year Helene milestone event, highlighting progress made - AMY Wellness Foundation"
canonicalUrl: "https://amywellnessfoundation.org/2026/10/yancey-county-holds-2-year-helene-milestone-event-highlighting-progress-made/"
excerpt: "BURNSVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Yancey County marked the two-year milestone of Helene on Sunday with an event that highlighted the progress made since the storm. The storm caused major flooding […]"
datePublished: "2026-10-01T15:12:20+00:00"
dateModified: "2026-10-01T15:15:34+00:00"
---

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Yancey County holds 2-year Helene milestone event, highlighting progress made - AMY Wellness Foundation




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# Yancey County holds 2-year Helene milestone event, highlighting progress made

By:
amyadm

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[October 1, 2026](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/2026/10/01/)

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Categories:

[Uncategorized](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/category/uncategorized/)

BURNSVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Yancey County marked the two-year milestone of Helene on Sunday with an event that highlighted the progress made since the storm.

The storm caused major flooding with landslides that left many isolated and waiting for help. Speakers at the event talked about the county’s resiliency and how community members came together to help.

Luke Howe, the executive director of the AMY (Avery, Mitchell, Yancey) Wellness Foundation, said the storm forever changed the landscape of the county and also people’s lives, but that the recovery process is continuing.

“Whenever things get tough, people in this community always come together,” he said. “This event is a chance for us to get together and celebrate the progress that’s been made.”

There were speakers from community organizations and lawmakers, and also a special message from country singer Eric Church.

WATCH: [https://wlos.com/news/local/yancey-county-holds-2-year-helene-anniversary-event-highlighting-progress-made-eric-church-message-community-leaders-flooding-landslides-hurricane-tropical-storm-recovery  ](https://wlos.com/news/local/yancey-county-holds-2-year-helene-anniversary-event-highlighting-progress-made-eric-church-message-community-leaders-flooding-landslides-hurricane-tropical-storm-recovery)

Speakers and Special Guests Included:

*John Blackburn, Chief Cares*

*Senator Ralph Hise*

*Christopher Pike & Michael Foley, Scars on the Mountain Documentary *

*Jason Kimak, Samaritan’s Purse *

*Vrindavan Bellord, We Must Protect*

*Thomas Johnson, Chief Cares*

*Jeremy Dotts, Mountain Heritage High School*

*Stephanie Johnson, Rebuilding Hollers*

*Luke Howe, AMY Wellness Foundation*

*Dr. Susan Mims, Dogwood Health Trust*

*Winston McGregor, Chief Cares *

*Bands: Abby Bryant and Lesa Autrey *

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