ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Nine acres of Jeff Nix’s orchard now resemble a barren riverbed, covered in sand and littered with stones.

Prior to Helene’s impact, this section of his Henderson County farm was filled with thousands of Granny Smith and Gala apple trees, finally reaching maturity for commercial fruit production. From his son’s home on a nearby hill, Nix saw the floodwaters transform the trees into instruments of devastation.

“We watched two trees get swept into the river, like big Caterpillar bulldozers, taking out everything in their path,” Nix recalled, as the sun beat down, seemingly trying to evaporate the remaining water. Nearby, a John Deere backhoe lay in disrepair next to a mud-coated, overturned farm vehicle.

Nix estimated his losses could reach millions, and he’s not alone; many farmers in Henderson County are reeling from the significant impact of the flooding.

Although Nix believes his farm will bounce back, he worries that others are not in the same position.

“We just need assistance,” Nix told U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards while showing him around his property. “I should be busy working today, but I want to secure support for everyone affected.”

Potential Relief from State and Federal Government

Edwards, representing North Carolina’s interests, stated he would advocate to fellow legislators and House Speaker Mike Johnson for additional funds to aid recovery efforts in the upcoming months.

“For years, we’ve allocated funds for disaster recovery from California wildfires, Midwest tornadoes, and southern hurricanes,” he noted to local farmers during the tour. “It’s time for our country to come together and recognize the needs of Western North Carolina.”

At a high school football field damaged in Canton, Governor Ron Cooper expressed his intention to collaborate with state legislators on a relief package, with meetings scheduled to commence on Oct. 9.

Meanwhile, Edwards advised farmers to seek Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance.

“Make sure you file your claims before you even think about lunch,” he suggested, proposing that FEMA and Small Business Administration representatives visit Henderson County soon for an on-site assessment.

Nix agreed to this suggestion.

One Farmer Faces Major Clean-Up Challenges

It’s not only apple producers who are suffering; Dalton Rhodes’s berry crops also incurred serious damage from the storm.

A pile of debris has collected near his family farm’s raspberry plants, featuring remnants of trees, houses, and possibly the remains of missing calves, judging by the odor.

The flooding has flattened the raspberries, leaving their now-brown leaves oriented in one direction. A footprint indicated they might still be alive, but they are covered in dry dirt.

“The best solution we see is to bring in a bulldozer to clear everything down to bare soil,” Rhodes explained.

While many blackberries survived the flooding, the raspberries are destroyed. He estimates that recovering from Helene will cost his farm over $1 million.

When asked if his business would survive, Rhodes hesitated before replying, “I hope so.”

Next to him lay a filthy, battered doll missing a shoe.

“We have some crop insurance that will assist, and hopefully, agricultural disaster funds will come through,” said Don Rhodes, Dalton’s father.

However, the family doesn’t have much time to focus on their property damages. They are busy volunteering with their church, distributing food and supplies to the affected community.

“We can tackle our own problems later,” Dalton Rhodes remarked.

“It’s one of those situations where you’re not even sure how to begin,” his father added.

Dalton noted, “All around here, people are prioritizing helping each other over worrying about their own property.”