In a poignant news conference Thursday, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein highlighted the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on the western part of the state and emphasized the human toll and heroic efforts of first responders during the historic storm.

Hurricane recovery has been a focal point of Stein's agenda since taking office, as he signed a $500 million relief package into law this month.

It has been six months since Hurricane Helene unleashed biblical flooding and tree-snapping winds across the Southeast, and areas such as hard-hit Black Mountain, N.C., continue to struggle.