Documentary News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

WRAL documentary - Coaching Carolina: The Belichick Way

The WRAL documentary "Coaching Carolina: The Belichick Way," reveals how the University of North Carolina landed Bill Belichick, arguably the greatest football coach of all time, and what unfolded next.

Music duo channels emotion of Helene's aftermath, honoring North Carolina mountain resilience

The young, two-person band Cabin Creature managed to create a hauntingly accurate song that evokes the spirit of Appalachian folk music for a new documentary about havoc from Hurricane Helene.

Still digging out from Hurricane Helene, survivors praise volunteers, slam government response

Some feel left behind by the state and federal response a year after Helene. On the ground, volunteers are undeterred in helping victims, highlighting the best of the state's values.

Cristin Severance and Ryan Bisesi, WRAL

Perseverance, grit come to forefront in recovery effort for western NC

Western North Carolina's struggles came in many forms in the weeks following Hurricane Helene. There was a mountain of cleanup and recovery to climb, but many stories of help and hope emerged.

Cristin Severance and Ryan Bisesi, WRAL

Family of Lee County teacher killed in Helene still feels her presence in trying year

A Lee County teacher and her husband were storm-prepping their mountain vacation home the night before Hurricane Helene hit. She was swept away in floodwaters, leaving a hole in the hearts of friends and family.

By Cristin Severance and Ryan Bisesi, WRAL News

Etched in stone: Resilience guides Chimney Rock back to life after Helene. What's still to do

The quaint, picturesque village of Chimney Rock that was crushed by Hurricane Helene is getting a makeover. A complete recovery will take years, but the process is something that residents feel called to do in overcoming the disaster.

Cristin Severance and Ryan Bisesi, WRAL

Family frustrated in trying to rebuild lives a year after Helene

WRAL Documentary Investigator Cristin Severance talked to Amber Ballew's family in Fairview, who are struggling to rebound after their home was a total loss.

Small town 'zum'-ing back from Helene through community's love for popular coffee shop

The heart of a small North Carolina mountain town can be found in one of its more prominent businesses, which faced long odds of survival after Helene tore through the town.

Eric Miller, WRAL anchor/reporter

Western NC family still seeks reassurance a year after unimaginable loss from Helene

Their homes flooded, lives lost and a legacy vanished. How the surviving members of the Craig family have hurricane-strength hearts after a trying year, during which "some lost all."

Cristin Severance and Ryan Bisesi, WRAL

Helene cleanup puts 'a different kind of beauty' on display at Green River

Erica Shanks is Riverkeeper for the Green River, meaning she helps guard, protect and conserve one of North Carolina's most popular, and heavily traveled aquatic playgrounds. Her and others are working to bring it back to what it was before Hurricane Helene.

Eric Miller, WRAL anchor/reporter

One year ago, tornado hit Rocky Mount as Helene devastated NC mountains

On Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, a damaging tornado ripped through Nash County as Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina's mountains.

One year since Helene: More than 100 killed in NC, communities still rebuilding

One year after Hurricane Helene ravaged western North Carolina, the extent of the damage is becoming clearer.

Hurricane Helene documentary preview: Western NC feels left out

Hurricane Helene survivors in western North Carolina said recovery has been slow. And while the federal government has stepped in with some funding, many families believe it hasn't been enough.

Helene survivor will always remember storm - why she feels forgotten by lawmakers

Claudette Childs is a lifelong resident of Pensacola, a tiny community in Yancey County. After living through the destruction and loss of life from Hurricane Helene, Childs and others like her are feeling abandoned by the federal and state governments.

Eric Miller, WRAL anchor/reporter

WRAL documentary explores the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina

The WRAL documentary team takes viewers inside the communities hit hardest by Helene's record flooding and mudslides, and examines what survivors and neighbors discovered in themselves as they began to rebuild.

WRAL

One year since Helene: WRAL Documentary shares stories of hope and survival

One year after Hurricane Helene, a new WRAL Documentary looks at the storm's devastating toll and the resilience of the people who survived it. "Helene: What We Lost, What We Found" airs Thursday, Sept. 25 on WRAL-TV and streams on WRAL.com, the WRAL News app and WRAL's YouTube channel. Video Credit: AVL Drone and Chanse Harrison for drone footage

WRAL documentary: Helene: What We Lost, What We Found

WRAL's documentary team traveled to small towns all over western North Carolina to capture the stories of loss, devastation, hope and rebirth with Hurricane Helene not likely to be forgotten anytime soon. Video Credit: AVL Drone and Chanse Harrison for drone footage

Gov. Josh Stein on FEMA funding after Helene: 'You shouldn't have to fight your own government'

Putting aside partisan differences: After U.S. Sen. Ted Budd put pressure on FEMA over western North Carolina aid for Hurricane Helene, Gov. Josh Stein is heaping on the praise.

'Shouldn't have to fight your own government': Stein criticizes FEMA over funding delays

Putting aside partisan differences: After U.S. Sen. Ted Budd put pressure on FEMA over western North Carolina aid for Hurricane Helene, Gov. Josh Stein is heaping on the praise.

Cristin Severance and Will Doran, WRAL News

Upcoming WRAL documentary looks at Helene's lasting impacts in western NC

"Helene: What we've lost, what we've found" will debut Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. on WRAL-TV. You can stream is everywhere you find WRAL.

WRAL returns to tell stories of Hurricane Helene

During the summer of 2025, WRAL reporters Eric Miller and Cristin Severance and photographers Sean Braswell and Dwayne Myers spent a week in the mountains, talking to people about the progress made and work still to be done almost a year after Hurricane Helene.

WRAL Documentary: A year after Hurricane Helene, stories of heartbreak and hope

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, a WRAL Documentary explores the stories of resilience and sorrow affecting communities across the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Young, online and battling cancer: Woman finds strength through social media

The WRAL documentary, "Diagnosis: Young," highlights personal stories, including that of Bianca Harvey, a cancer patient who found community and purpose by sharing her journey to encourage self-advocacy and early diagnosis.

Young, online and battling cancer: Bianca Harvey finds strength through social media

The WRAL documentary, "Diagnosis: Young," highlights personal stories, including that of Bianca Harvey, a cancer patient who found community and purpose by sharing her journey to encourage self-advocacy and early diagnosis.

One year later: WRAL revisits case of Fayetteville mother accused of murdering adoptive children

In the year since Avantae Deven's arrest for the murder of her two adopted children, North Carolina has seen significant movement towards foster care reform, spurred by the "Broken: Foster Care in North Carolina" documentary.