Bethany Greene and Jason Kosakow review the damage wrought on communities in western North Carolina and other parts of the Fifth District from Hurricane Helene last September. They also share what their business contacts have told them about Helene's economic impacts, both within and outside of the hurricane's path. Greene is a regional economist at the Charlotte branch of the Richmond Fed and Kosakow is the Bank's survey director.

Nestled in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Randolph and Chatham counties offer a blend of rural charm and scenic beauty. Recently, the construction of several large-scale manufacturing plants are reshaping the local economy and providing new opportunities for growth.

Since Hurricane Helene's devastation last month, we have kept a pulse on the Fifth District's economic impact and how the communities are doing in the storm's aftermath.

Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic damage to Fifth District communities, presenting challenges to the long recovery ahead.