Families impacted by Helene enroll kids in Triad schools

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Several school districts in the western part of the state closed indefinitely due to Hurricane Helene.

Two families moved to Guilford County to allow their children to continue their education.

While laying on a couch as the wind and rain battered her Taylors, South Carolina, home, the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused a large tree to fall on Kathryn Wilkins’ house on Friday morning.

“You heard it hit the roof and come down onto the bed … Mostly, you felt the shake,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins says her home is now uninhabitable, and the surrounding community suffered catastrophic damage. Many people are still without power.

“It’s devastating. Asheville and Buncombe got the floods, and it’s heartbreaking to see, but there’s trees everywhere, and powerlines everywhere,” Wilins said.

On Wenesdesay morning, Wilkins says her mother drove down to South Carolina and brought her family to Guilford County.

With schools still closed in Taylors, Wilkins says she enrolled her son Charlie into Guilford County Schools.

“My youngest is 5-year-old who is autistic and non-verbal and needs space and stability,” Wilkins said. “He has space here for himself to be, and I knew we needed to get him in school as soon as possible, and I knew it would be difficult because schools are still closed there, too.”

Wilkins isn’t the only mother prioritizing her child’s education. Catherine Mckeznie says she and her daughter left Buncombe County to stay with her parents in Greensboro.

“We have no water or power at our house, so we left our home and came here. My husband stayed back to distribute supplies … and all of our schools are closed indefinitely,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie says she enrolled her daughter into Lindley Elementary School and received a tour Thursday afternoon.

“They’ve welcomed us with open arms, and I’m just so appreciative for this community … Everyone that we’ve met have been so unbelievable kind and supportive,” McKenzie said.

While McKenzie’s daughter is enrolled at LES, Wilkins’ son is waiting to be placed.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the Wilkins family. A recovery effort is also underway in Buncombe County.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.