NORTH COVE, N.C. — Not only did people lose their homes and everything they owned, but many also lost their jobs and sources of income.
It'll be a struggle for many of them to get back on their feet.
Damage around North Cove, Marion, and Old Fort has been extensive. Rebuilding these towns as fast as possible is crucial.
Bakersville resident Sylvia Miglino and her husband Greg have been without power for days. They've been stranded for days because their driveway washed away.
They finally met up with their son and his wife at a truck stop to get some supplies and a generator. They say as the storm powered through; they were outside when a tree crashed down just inches away from them.
"It was a near-death experience," Miglino said.
Many families in these mountain towns have been without power for days now. The goal is to get power restored to most in western North Carolina by midnight.
The Baxter International Plant sits just miles from these scenes.
It's responsible for supplying more than half of the country's IV and Dialysis solutions. Flooding from Helene shut down operations at the plant. Some who work there say they're worried for friends, family, and neighbors who need those critical medical supplies.
More than 2,500 people just like Old Fort resident Vera Pinkard work at Baxter International. Right now, plant operations are on hold due to flooding brought on by Helene.
"Everybody's nervous because they need those things," Pinkard said. "Even I've been to the hospital for simple things, and I'll see Baxter on the [IV] bag."
If the plant doesn't open back up soon, it could put a big strain on the country's flow of those critical medical supplies.
Some workers tell us they have friends and family who rely on the plant and are already worried.
People are out cleaning up the facility.
Baxter says it has been checking in with employees to make sure they're safe. Still no word on when the plan will reopen.
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