President Trump is delivering on promises not to forget about the people who were largely abandoned by the Biden administration after a catastrophic hurricane destroyed much of Western North Carolina.

Major roads were completely wiped out after Hurricane Helene, making rescue efforts in the area even harder. Many North Carolinians who survived the devastating wreckage had to suffer through a cold, wet winter in makeshift homes and relied on local support and the Cajun Army for help … until President Trump took office.

Matt Van Swol, a reformed Democrat, has been extensively reporting on the situation in Western N.C. and East Tennessee, and was thrilled to announce that a main thoroughfare has been reopened “MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.”

“Over 5,400 people have been driving an extra hour every day due avoid this road. PROMISES KEPT!!!” Van Swol posted with video:

#BREAKING: The Department of Transportation has confirmed that US-81 has officially reopened MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE after crumbling into the river during Hurricane Helene.

Over 5,400 people have been driving an extra hour every day due avoid this road.

PROMISES KEPT!!! pic.twitter.com/MBNMBZiHWR

— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) April 15, 2025

But the good news doesn’t end there.

Van Swol also reported seeing “A LOT” more logging trucks in Western N.C. and explained why it’s another hopeful sign.

“President Trump allowed logging companies to start clearing some of the fallen trees from Hurricane Helene so they can use them for cheaper timber to rebuild homes. Absolutely incredible!” he celebrated.

I’m starting to see A LOT more of these logging trucks throughout Western North Carolina.

President Trump allowed logging companies to start clearing some of the fallen trees from Hurricane Helene so they can use them for cheaper timber to rebuild homes.

Absolutely incredible! pic.twitter.com/fMoD1mpa6M

— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) April 16, 2025

“Absolutely incredible” and so refreshing to see the U.S. government finally serving the people the way it was designed to do.

Me too ❤️

— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) April 15, 2025

This is awesome news! Thank the Lord for President Trump and his administration.

— JudyBeeNC (@JudyBeeNC) April 15, 2025

Not just 81 either. Interstate 40 in NC now has one side open (was going to take 2 years to get to that point), and even closer to me, a bridge on I26 that was washed out has had one side open for awhile, but they are way ahead of schedule of getting it open on both sides.

— deldana (@DeldanaL) April 15, 2025

Great to see infrastructure getting fixed ahead of time under President Trump’s leadership. Results matter more than empty words.

— VJT (@KelvinCold1234) April 15, 2025

It’s awesome, they clearly did incredible work.

— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) April 15, 2025

Bravo!

Matt, thank you for excellent reports on western NC following H.Helene. Without your reports and those of others, we would not have an understanding of the damage, rescue, and recovery throughout the region, esp. the personal and charity endeavors. Thank you!!

— YJZ (@YJZ36252974) April 17, 2025

It is not easy to get loggers and buyers for salvage operations. Mills can not take twisted trees in the case of tornado damage. Happy to see this happening. Happy to see ALL the positive momentum going on in this devastated area of the country.

— Louisiana Gurl (@gurl_louisiana) April 16, 2025

President Trump keeps coming up with great common sense solutions for so many things in our country. He is such a blessing.

— John Bennett (@JohnBennet17840) April 16, 2025

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