It was the third-deadliest hurricane of the modern era, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida late on Sept. 26 before hitting Western North Carolina the following morning. The storm brought flooding, landslides and winds that damaged or downed 40% of the trees in Buncombe County, according to Asheville Watchdog.
Two months after the storm, homes across Western North Carolina stood with broken windows and empty rooms. Spray-painted “X”s marked outside walls and garage doors, indicating complete FEMA searches, according to the Civil Air Patrol.
Cars and trucks remained abandoned in rivers and under rubble. Residents’ belongings — clothing, curtains, childrens’ toys — sat in piles along the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. Businesses were boarded up; roads and broken bridges were closed.
A building on Riverside Drive in Asheville — located in Buncombe County — read “LOOTERS WILL BE SHOT” in red spray paint.
But amid the rubble, residents of Asheville and nearby Swannanoa also spray-painted messages of hope. A statue in the River Arts District — a neighborhood of historic buildings transformed into art galleries and restaurants — stood above a sign that read “even when the creek rises.” A piece of wood in front of a gas station in Swannanoa featured text that read “UR strong” and a red heart.
Efforts to rebuild persist. So does the knowledge that the road will be long.
Lily Alexander is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on X @llilyalexander
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PHOTOSTORY: UNM’s SUB, a centerpiece for students.
May 26The University Of New Mexico’s Student Union Building is the main space for students to get involved, grab a snack and learn about events on campus. On the lower level (or Plaza) of the SUB, activities such as the arts and craft studio, Louie’s Lounge recreation area and SUB Theater can be found. Louie’s Lounge is a great spot for gamers, as the lounge features pool tables, ping-pong, foosball, video games, and board games. In the 2nd (or Mall) level of the SUB, there are a number of good eats for students. Chick-fil-A, Dion’s Pizza, Mandalay Express, Subway, Blake’s Lotaburger and Draft & Table are all available for dining, though some stay open later than others. Along with the places for dining, a Mercado convenience store location can be found in the plaza level of the SUB. Students can find out about various clubs and chartered student organizations inside the Student Activities Center on the first floor. Offices for the Associated Students at the University of New Mexico and the Graduate and Professional Student Association, the University’s undergraduate and graduate student unions, respectively, are also housed on the plaza level. Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
PHOTOSTORY: Many coffee options easily found near campus
May 26There is no shortage of local coffee spots around the University of New Mexico’s Central Campus for students to frequent. Whether you prefer an early morning latte to start the day, or a matcha during an evening study session, there’s a perfect coffee shop waiting for you. Little Bear Coffee is one of Albuquerque’s most beloved shops, with four locations spread throughout the city. The Central location, which sits a couple of blocks up Central Avenue from the main campus, offers both permanent and seasonal coffees and teas, as well as donuts from Bristol Doughnut Company. The location also has indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate New Mexico’s warmer summer and fall days. Grandma’s Coffee Garden is located on Girard Boulevard, a short walk from Central Campus, and is located in the side yard of one of the homes along the street. The menu includes a collection of popular coffee drinks and specialty drink options, including the Turquoise Tea Latte and Mariposa Lemonade. If you visit, you may have the chance to meet Grandma, the dalmatian who inspired the coffee garden’s name and makes occasional appearances at the garden. Arab coffee spots have also opened near campus, with Amalie Coffee Co., located directly south of Central Campus on Yale, and Sukoon Coffeehouse, directly across the street from the Redondo Village Apartments. Sukoon serves authentic Arab flavors and spices in their drinks and desserts, and meets the New Mexican breakfast burrito craving with burritos from Three Sisters Kitchen. Amalie, with its ornately-decorated marble interior, offers specialty teas, and desserts like Dubai chocolate croissants and a Palestine-inspired merch store. Both Arab coffee shops close late, allowing safe and delicious places for late study nights. Finally, Satellite Coffee, just a hop across Central Avenue from Central Campus, serves coffees, teas, pastries, breakfast and lunch. This spot offers high-quality ingredients and healthy options like gluten-free scones, serving as an easy place to meet, study or just hangout over some beverages and food. Leila Chapa is the social media and photo editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06 Maria Fernandez is the copy editor at the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at copy@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
