🌀 N.C. after Helene

We've made it to Friday.

🌤️ Today's weather: Partly sunny with a high in the low 80s.

🎂 Happy early birthday to our Axios Raleigh members John Tardif and Kevin Dwinelle!

Today's newsletter is 942 words — a 3.5 minute read.

Hurricane Helene arrived on Florida land one week ago in the dark hours between Sept. 26 and 27 and quickly turned its wicked wand toward western North Carolina. By the end of Friday, it was gone, and the sun was out to show us the hell it'd left.

Why it matters, now and going forward: "The western North Carolina that existed on Thursday is no more," Zeb Smathers, the mayor of Canton, told the Smoky Mountain News.

• Indeed, for the communities in this beloved region of our state, there will be a Before Helene and an After Helene.

But the entire state of North Carolina will be part of the "after." People who lived in the mountains Before Helene will become Charlotte residents After Helene. Or Raleigh residents. Or Anywhere Else residents. Some for a month, some for a year, some maybe forever.

• Some are already trying to enroll their kids in other local schools, others might be at the restaurant table next to you tonight, or in the checkout line behind you.

Reality check: The main thing that matters now, still, are the lives of the missing. The storm had killed 200 people across the Southeast as of Thursday afternoon, AP reports, making Helene the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina, CNN says. But the number will rise, as officials connect with loved ones.

What's next: The survivors will have to decide their futures. To rebuild a home along the same river? To start a business again in the same downtown? To stay on this side of a rebuilt bridge, or move to that side?

See photos from the first week After Helene in North Carolina

Just 0.5% of homes in the Western North Carolina counties hit hardest by Hurricane Helene were covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, according to an analysis by Reuters.

• In comparison, more than 40% of homes in Dare County, on the Outer Banks, had flood insurance policies.

Why it matters: A lack of flood insurance will make it more expensive and complicated for many residents of the mountains to recover from the devastation that Helene's massive rainfalls brought.

State of play: Experts say that the FEMA's existing flood maps, which show where people are required to buy flood insurance, underestimate the risks that storms like Helene can bring.

• FEMA's maps, for instance, do not take into account intense rainfall events or sea level rise that is becoming more common due to climate change, according to N.C. State researcher Georgina Sanchez.
• Jeremy Porter, head of climate implications research at the First Street Foundation, told the Washington Post they also don't take into account flooding from smaller water sources, like creeks and streams.

Read more about the lack of insurance ... Support western N.C. communities devastated by Helene

🏨 The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary was named one of the South's 25 best hotels by Conde Nast Traveler.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warns FEMA doesn't have enough money to last through hurricane season, urging Congress to give it more funding. (Associated Press)

📖 Wake County Public Schools are investigating the appropriateness of a short story that was assigned to students at Athens Drive Magnet High School after a student complained about a description of sexual activity in "Tomorrow is Too Far" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. (WRAL)

🏠 To control housing costs, measures taken by the N.C. General Assembly to reject some updated construction standards could have worsened damage from Hurricane Helene, experts say. (New York Times)

📷 The union for striking dockworkers said last night they'll return to work at U.S. ports, including at the Port of Wilmington, after reaching an agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance to extend their contract through Jan. 15. (Axios)

If you're looking to build a new home, True Homes should be on your radar.

Here's why: The experts at True Homes can help you craft a personalized home that reflects your style. From semi-custom home builds to quick move-in options, True Homes has the plan for you.

Find your dream home.

A group of Durham's top chefs will join forces to raise money for hospitality and restaurant workers who have been affected by Hurricane Helene.

Why it matters: The economy of Western North Carolina, especially Asheville, depends on tourism. With recovery efforts likely to take weeks, many restaurant and hospitality workers will be out of work.

Driving the news: In response, a group of prominent restaurants will host a fundraiser dinner on Oct. 13 at The Durham Hotel to raise money for the Southern Smoke Foundation Emergency Relief Fund.

Participating chefs include:

• Gray Brooks of Pizzeria Toro and Littler
• Jeff Crane of The Durham Hotel
• Oscar Diaz of Little Bull and TaTaco
• Chris Garrett of Seraphine
• Matt Kelly of Nanas, Vin Rouge and Mateo Bar de Tapas
• Jimmy Kim of Cucciolo Osteria
• Mike Lee of M Restaurants
• Aaron Louv of NanaSteak

What to know: Tickets to the dinner will be $200, and there will also be an auction to raise money.

• The event will start at 6:30pm on Oct. 13 and feature cocktails from Alley Twenty-Six and desserts from Rose's Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets and The Parlour.

⚽️ Watch the N.C. Courage take on the San Diego Wave at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary on Saturday, with some of ticket sales supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

🍔 Eat smash burgers and listen to some slam poetry at the Sunday Smash & Slam in Durham, featuring your newsletter writer Zach as a guest judge. A portion of ticket sales will go to the N.C. Arts Disaster Relief Fund.

🌈 Attend Wake Forest's inaugural pride festival on Saturday.

🎤 Listen to Raleigh hip hop group Kooley High at their album release show at the Pour House on Saturday.

🖼️ Check out art in downtown Raleigh during the city's First Friday festivities.

🍻 Celebrate Oktoberfest at Cary's annual Triangle Oktoberfest at Koka Booth Amphitheater.

Keep reading for 8 more events

On the house hunt? Put Buies Creek Townhomes on your list to check out.

The deets: This community features townhomes starting in the $200s with convenient access to grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, the Cape Fear River, Raven Rock State Park and more within minutes.

See available homes.

🚲 Zachery is appreciative of the folks at Bullseye Bicycle for help selecting a bag for his bike.

Thanks to Katie Peralta Soloff for editing this newsletter.