MARSHALL, N.C. — Eleven months ago, National Guard military vehicles were the norm around Marshall. Today, they've been replaced by skateboards and other small symbols that the small town in western North Carolina is bouncing back nearly a year after Hurricane Helene devastated the area.

Chris Worley manages Shady Side Florist, the town's only floral shop. We first met him a month after Helene hit, as he sifted through what was left of his livelihood.

"All of our materials, all of our stations, all of our equipment — 50 years of business was gone overnight," Whorley said.

Now, he says business is close to where it used to be before the storm. One of the last pieces will happen this week when contractors finish repairing the front of his shop.

Whorley says he wouldn't be where he is tod

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