Hurricane Helene devastated communities in North Carolina, leaving many unable to return home. A group of coal miners from West Virginia, dubbed the “West Virginia Boys,” stepped in and rebuilt a key highway within three days, allowing the small community of Chimney Rock to access their homes.
Robin Phillips, a resident who fled during the hurricane, expressed relief. “I haven’t been home since the flood. They moved the mountains and brought us hope,” she said. Phillips and her husband have been unable to check on their campground business since the storm, but they are grateful to the miners for their quick work.
Despite their success, residents have voiced frustrations with the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the disaster. While FEMA and the DOT made visits to assess the damage, they did not intervene as the miners worked without official approval to complete the road. Locals like Phillips expected help from the federal government but saw little action until much later.
Logan Campbell, a volunteer from Mississippi, praised the unity among the miners. “People from all walks of life showed up when it mattered,” he said. Campbell, along with Oklahoma volunteer Dan Lewis, has been camping for over two weeks while helping rebuild the road.
Lewis criticized the federal response, stating, “Different road crews came in and said it wasn’t possible. The DOT and Army Corps of Engineers just wanted to assess the situation.” He added that the miners managed to finish the job before any government plans materialized.
Residents like Curtis McCart are still waiting for federal aid, despite FEMA’s recent arrival at the fire department. “These people need help, and they aren’t getting what was promised,” McCart commented. The quick action from the miners has offered hope to many, even as they wait for more assistance from the government.
