06/02/2026
When I moved to Asheville after Hurricane Helene, I expected recovery would take time. What I didn’t expect was that nearly two years later, so many places would still be waiting.
Over the past several months, I’ve driven roads lined with damaged infrastructure, passed businesses that never reopened, and wondered about the people whose lives were forever changed by the storm.
As a photographer, I initially couldn’t bring myself to document the devastation. The emotions were simply too overwhelming. But eventually, I realized that perhaps the best way I could contribute was by using my camera and my words to help tell these stories.
“Have These Places Been Forgotten?” is a 4-minutes read photo essay that explores some of the overlooked corners of Western North Carolina that continue to bear the scars of Hurricane Helene.
My hope is not to focus solely on what was lost, but to encourage awareness, conversation, and continued support for communities still recovering.
If you know of a location, business, family, or recovery effort whose story deserves to be shared, I would love to hear from you.
You can read the full photo essay at the link below.
https://www.linaoliveros.com/post/have-these-places-been-forgotten
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The news cameras left long ago, but many in Western North Carolina are still living with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Nearly two years later, these photographs tell the stories of places that remain damaged, overlooked, and waiting to be restored. My hope is that by sharing them, we can ensure...
