Nearly one year ago, Hurricane Helene downgraded to a tropical storm and surged right through Western North Carolina, destroying over 74,000 homes and causing around $60 billion in damages, according to the governor's office.

Some families are still trying to figure out how to move forward a year after the storm. 

"My entire 20th year of life has been recovering from a storm," Amiyah Keele said while reflecting on the past 12 months with her mother, Jessica.

The Keeles currently live in a camper on a property in Burnsville, North Carolina, after Helene sent about four feet of water through their home on Sept. 27, 2024. Their camper is right next to a house with other family members.

RESIDENTS DETAIL 'HORRIFIC' STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AFTER HURRICANE HELENE

The Keeles first spoke with FOX back in November, while they were stocking up on fuel for their generators. 

"The water was too high and too fast, like we - just made it out," Amiyah said. The Keele family waded through the raging river until they were safe with their neighbors, staying for nearly a week.

In the aftermath of the storm, the majority of the region had no cell service, electricity or running water.

"About a week of just — just nothing, like we didn’t know if anybody else we knew were(sic) okay," Amiyah said. 

NORTH CAROLINA MAN SHARES STORY OF SURVIVAL AFTER HELENE

After about a week, volunteers and donations began pouring into the region from all over the country.

One group set up a distribution and supply site just a couple miles down the road from the Keeles. The only way they could get there was by walking, but the family went nearly every day to help volunteer. 

"[About] five days later and luckily, we were blessed with wonderful tents," Jessica told FOX. For nearly a month, the family stayed in tents as recovery began around them.

HURRICANE HELENE AS IT HAPPENED: SCARS FROM HURRICANE HELENE REMAIN IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Volunteers and nonprofit organizations also donated a new car and generators to the Keeles. 

Amiyah said a heater is a "godsend" when "you're trying to sleep in a tent." Not too long after, the family was blessed with a camper by a nonprofit.

"It didn’t have power or water, but it was better than a tent," Jessica said. 

The Keeles are still living in the donated camper. Since then, they've received a couple of donated sheds, which hold some of their belongings. Damaged appliances and furniture still sit outside their flooded home.

"Samaritan's Purse is great. They came and mucked out the house and had a snowball fight with my son," Jessica said.

Meanwhile, a simple reminder to keep on going through the trauma and obstacles is a wooden sign hanging in the donated camper that said "so this is not Home Sweet Home…ADJUST!"

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Jessica said the sign survived the flood.

She told FOX, "We’re actually doing great compared to some people," and Amiyah chimed in, "And we’re still struggling."

A Georgia businessman's billboard tribute to Charlie Kirk is drawing national attention in the wake of the Turning Point USA founder's recent murder.

Wayne Robinson, president of Wayne Robinson Holdings, owns a Steak 'n Shake location in Rome, Georgia. The 1950s-inspired chain serves milkshakes and burgers, and the Rome location is one of hundreds across the country.

Robinson told Fox News Digital he was devastated after Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while speaking to audience members at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

RESTAURANT FIRES EMPLOYEE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK DEATH COMMENT LEFT STAFF 'UNCOMFORTABLE'

"I've always been a follower of Charlie," said Robinson, noting he was impressed by Kirk's debates with students on college campuses.

"He was bringing so many of those young people to Christ. … He touched me, and when the assassination happened, it was something that really wore heavy on me."

The day after Kirk died, Robinson was compelled to act quickly. He alerted one of his marketing partners to "put something out there to honor Charlie."

The billboard reads, "Charlie Kirk, 1993-2025," followed by the words, "Stand up, speak out, stay bold."

Within days, the response went viral with millions of likes on X – and Robinson said the local response "has been phenomenal."

"I think it's got 58,000 local comments. … People from outlying areas [are] saying they're going to drive to my store just to eat lunch, eat dinner, just to pay respect for what I've done for Charlie," he said.

CHARLIE KIRK DELIVERED MESSAGE ABOUT LIFE'S UPS AND DOWNS TO RESTAURANT LEADERS HOURS BEFORE SHOOTING DEATH

Robinson's location wasn't the only Steak 'n Shake spot that received an outpouring of customers after the billboard went viral.

After Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who represents Rome, shared an image of the billboard on social media, people across the country said they'd patronize the chain.

"Eating at Steak ‘n Shake because they put up a Charlie Kirk billboard," one person wrote on X. "This is the second time this week, all because I saw they put up a billboard in Charlie’s honor."

"They should be rewarded for this with our business," another said.

CUSTOMER ORDERS CHARLIE KIRK’S STARBUCKS DRINK, FINDS DISTURBING HATE MESSAGE

Robinson said his store received calls across the country, from Michigan to Wisconsin to California, just to say thank you.

"They took the time to physically find us, find our phone number at the store and call to say thank you for doing that," he said.

Robinson said Steak ‘n Shake’s corporate office contacted him shortly after the billboard went viral.

"They said, 'You know, you're supposed to get everything OK'd through corporate when you use the name Steak 'n Shake on it, but we really like it,'" Robinson recalled.

"It reached [the Steak 'n Shake owner] and he liked it so much he asked if they could have permission … to do this across the nation."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Steak 'n Shake did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Although Robinson is still saddened by Kirk's death, he said he believes the 31-year-old's legacy is "reaching a lot of people and changing a lot of minds."

"He has started a revival across the country that has been so needed," Robinson said.

"I don't think he would have ever thought, in his wildest dreams, the response that would have taken place after he was assassinated," he added. "But the movement is great … and I just appreciate all that he did."

MORE FROM FOX NEWS LIFESTYLE

Robinson's billboard is one of many tributes to Kirk that have emerged in the past two weeks.

Grooveberries Frozen Yogurt in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, received backlash after honoring Kirk through stickers on its frozen yogurt cups.

Last week, a group of Kirk supporters petitioned Starbucks to honor him by adding his signature tea order to menus nationwide.