Caroline Griffith highlights struggles of recovery from Hurricane Helene through documentary
- Caroline Griffith, a film student at NYU, is documenting the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.
- Her documentary aims to highlight the struggles and resilience of the local community impacted by the storm.
- Griffith feels it is essential to keep the focus on these recovery efforts, as they have been largely overlooked in recent national discussions.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck Western North Carolina, the recovery process has been slow and difficult for the community. This storm, which hit the region two months ago, has left lasting damage that will take years to fully address. Caroline Griffith, a film student from High Point, North Carolina, is taking on the task of documenting the impact of the hurricane and the ongoing recovery efforts. Currently studying at New York University, Griffith sees the documentary as an opportunity to capture stories throughout Marshall and surrounding areas affected by the storm. The decision to create the documentary came on Thanksgiving Day, a time typically associated with family gatherings and joy. For many, however, the holiday was bittersweet, particularly for those struggling to reconnect with loved ones who may have been impacted by the storm, whether they are unreachable or have sadly passed away. Griffith has expressed her concern that the stories of hardship and resilience have been overshadowed by other significant national events, such as the recent election. She believes that it is crucial that the struggles of the people in Western North Carolina are brought back into the spotlight. As she embarks on this project, Griffith is filming not only in Marshall but also plans to visit other areas severely affected by the hurricane, including Swannanoa, Asheville's River Arts District, and Chimney Rock. Her boyfriend, Cleveland Armentrout, is also assisting her with the filming. Griffith's family has a strong connection to Marshall, with fond memories of visiting the area. However, seeing the devastation in person has been shocking for both of them. One particularly striking moment was witnessing a home that had been swept downriver, an image that starkly illustrates the hurricane's destructive power. Griffith is committed to ensuring that her documentary shines a light on the ongoing recovery efforts and the impact the hurricane has had on individual lives. Her assignment, while linked to her academic work at NYU, is driven by a genuine desire to tell the stories of those affected. As she works on compiling footage and gathering insights, she is also in search of a suitable title for her documentary, which reflects its serious and compassionate focus on recovery in the aftermath of a history-making storm.