The Appalachian Voice
‘Nobody Is Coming to Save Us:’ Building McDowell County, West Virginia, After February Floods
Before Feb. 15, the worst floods to hit the town of Welch in McDowell County, West Virginia, were in 1977, followed by 2001 and 2002.
Read MoreWest Marion Resilience Hub is ‘Not Your Grandma’s Community Center’
A nonprofit is working to transform the historic Mountain View School building into the West Marion Resilience Hub to create a more resilient and equitable future for the community.
Read MoreOrganizations Band Together to Help with Long-Term Recovery in Cocke County, Tennessee
Catastrophic flooding from three rivers damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses throughout Cocke County, Tennessee.
Read MoreA Creative Renaissance:’ Recovery in the River Arts District of Asheville
Historic flooding from Hurricane Helene devastated up to 80% of the vibrant River Arts District of Asheville, North Carolina, located along the French Broad River. Floodwaters damaged or destroyed more than 300 artist studios, impacting over 750 working artists.
Read MoreDebris Removal in Waterways Causes Concern
Cleanup of debris after Hurricane Helene in rivers has become an unanticipated point of tension in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Read MoreMiners and Advocates Push for Better Black Lung Benefits and Protections
On a rainy May afternoon, nearly 20 members of the Southwest Virginia Black Lung Association Chapter II gathered in Big Stone Gap to discuss the black lung crisis, which has been rising among Appalachia’s coal miners, often at younger ages.
Read MoreSouthwest Virginia Communities Prepare for Future Storms
The necessity for resilience hubs across Southwest Virginia has become more apparent as the region has repeatedly been hit hard by floods.
Read MoreRepairing Our Region After Helene
In our Summer 2025 issue, we explore a few of the many dimensions of disaster recovery in our region, with a focus on the aftermath of Helene. Communities and individuals are putting one foot forward at a time — and taking action to protect one another and our region if the unimaginable happens again.
Read MoreIndigenous Organization Acquires Land on Proposed Federal Prison Site in Kentucky
A controversial proposed prison site in Letcher County, Kentucky, is facing new barriers thanks to a community-based Indigenous organization and new suggested budget cuts from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Read MoreNeighbors Helping Neighbors
Mutual aid projects foster community and solidarity and build a shared understanding of why people don’t already have what they need. These networks are growing across Appalachia in response to disasters.
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