Avery County residents are grateful for donations and kindness as they recover from the devastation in Helene

Avery County Sheriff Mike Henley said four people were dead and four others were missing in the county.

State data shows there were at least 116 deaths in North Carolina from Hurricane Helene as of Monday. Authorities continue to search for dozens more.

Crews are also working around the clock to repair water, repair power lines and clean streets.

“It was tough,” said Peggy Ward, whose Curtis Creek home was cut off from the main road for days after the flooding.

“Some people can’t get to their homes because trees are down and falling,” said 83-year-old resident Wade Hicks.

Hicks also pointed out that others couldn't go home because the storm brought down mud and rocks.

In Curtis Creek, a church was pushed off its foundation.

Donations and the kindness of strangers help keep the community alive.

“I want to thank everyone who has contributed in any way, shape or form to helping this community,” Hicks said. “Thank you.”

Help came from as far away as West Virginia, including with cards posted on doors before the first Sunday service held by a church since Helene.

“It wasn’t a long service, but we were able to get together and worship,” Hicks said. “Thank God for that.”

As the congregation prayed, first responders marched through.

“Some days we worked 16 hours a day,” Henley said. “It’s just part of these things.”

Rescue operations are moving into recovery mode and a mobile mortuary is ready.

“It’s there,” Henley said. “We need it.”