Businesses damaged by Hurricane Helene scramble to pick up pieces

A 42-year-old restaurant may never reopen in the same location. An event space-owner is trying to cobble together income as he faces tens of thousands of dollars in repairs to his barn. A gallery continues to support local artists whose studios, inventory and tools have been wiped out.

These are but a few of the struggles business owners in cities across the southeastern U.S. must grapple with in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene. One of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history, the storm has led to at least 200 deaths, according to the latest tally. An AccuWeather estimate pegs the total economic toll of the hurricane at up to $160 billion, which would make it more costly than Hurricane Katrina in 2005.