Helene destroyed this campground in North Carolina, but guests and strangers step in to help her.

Newland, North Carolina — At the Mountain River Family Campground in Western North Carolinathe North Toe River isn’t the only thing gushing, so are the customers.

“It’s beautiful because you’re kind of nestled in a valley in this campground,” one guest told CBS News.

This week, the remains of Hurricane Helene transformed this corner of paradise into a hellish landscape.

Suzanne Garland’s family owns the campground. The first time she came back after the storm, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Every building and piece of infrastructure has been erased.

“It looks like a tornado blew everything up and spat it all out,” Garland said. “…I can’t believe this is real.”

As of Friday, at least 225 deaths in six states have been attributed to Helen, including 114 in North Carolina.

“My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced unthinkable loss,” President Biden said Wednesday. after observing the destruction across the Carolinas. “But we’re here for you.”

Mr. Biden estimated that recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Southeast would cost “trillions of dollars” and said the federal government would cover all costs of debris removal and emergency protection measures in North Carolina for six months.

“It was like the campground itself was telling us it was still there,” Garland said. “You know what I mean? After all the destruction, the little snippets that we would find, it just felt like it reminded us that I’m still here. Don’t abandon me. Like, rebuild me, come back to me seek.

Like many people ravaged by the storm, the Garlands’ first urge was to move. But then, like many, they saw the sunrise and the morning light worked its magic.

“It was like a little reminder that in all the darkness, light will always find a way through,” Garland said. “…And I knew in that moment that we couldn’t walk away from it.”

And the day was about to get even brighter. On their website, former guests and complete strangers began booking campsites. They left comments such as “I know we can’t make it” and “I’m just booking one night to help.”

Dozens of people did it, paying for vacations they couldn’t take.

“And I feel like we’re so strong and I know we’ll get there,” Garland said. “I don’t know, it just warms your heart.”