RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina officials charged with leading recovery efforts in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene — as well as parts of eastern North Carolina still struggling from previous hurricanes — told state lawmakers this week that they need more money. And they need it soon.

An "out of control" wildfire burning in western North Carolina is forcing residents to evacuate from their homes on Wednesday, according to the McDowell County officials.

The fire broke out on Wednesday in Old Fort, North Carolina, which was one of the North Carolina towns hardest hit by Hurricane Helene when the storm made landfall in September.

This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. SWANNANOA—People are living in campers in fields of debris off U.

A Wind Advisory has been issued for parts of western North Carolina as gusty winds of up to 50 mph are expected to impact the region, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The strong winds pose several risks,

On Wednesday at 4:07 a.m. the NWS Blacksburg VA issued an updated wind advisory. The advisory is for Ashe, Alleghany, Surry, Watauga and Wilkes counties.

Months after Hurricane Helene disrupted the academic year for thousands of students and their families, spring enrollment is up at the UNC System’s three mountain universities.

Wednesday marked four months since Hurricane Helene ravaged the western Carolinas - and residents in McDowell County are facing yet another hardship.

The fire is happening while Western North Carolina is under an increased fire danger warning due to gusty winds, making it more difficult to contain.

On Tuesday at 3:20 a.m. the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC issued a wind advisory. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph, particularly at higher elevations, expected for Mitchell and Yancey counties until 3 p.m. this afternoon.

Gates, 69, has opened up about his life at home after his divorce from Melinda, while revealing why he has no plans to leave his former marital home. ‘I have many students who don’t even speak English and they are in 10th-11th grade,’ a Fort Worth-based teacher tweeted

On Tuesday at 2:34 p.m. the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC issued a wind advisory valid for Wednesday between midnight and 6 p.m. The advisory is for Caldwell Mountains, Burke Mountains and McDowell Mountains.