The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed more deaths related to Hurricane Helene, five months after the storm devastated much of Western North Carolina. By Feb. 7, the death toll had risen to 106 since the storm hit on Sept.

The U.S. Forest Service has reopened several trails and roads in the Appalachian Ranger District. The U.S. Forest Service has cleared 137 miles of trails, including over 114 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Crews have also surveyed and reopened about 240 miles of roads across the district.

North Carolina House members have advanced a Republican package to boost state recovery funding after Hurricane Helene by another $500 million