Western NC saw several inches of rain when Tropical Storm Helene barreled through. But what caused it to rain so much? What some scientists think.

For a town that thrives on outdoorsy tourism, Helene came at the peak of the busy season, which sustains many businesses in Asheville and in the surrounding communities, as visitors flock to the Great Smoky Mountains, Grandfather Mountain, Pisgah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

High School students at Southern Guilford High School learning how to become first responders are collecting donations that will be delivered to those impacted by Helene in western North Carolina. The teacher leading the charge has been on both sides of disaster relief.