From Hurricane Helene to campaign trail: The Observer’s best photos for October
By The Pham
Adam Smith holds his daughter, Tove, 3, at Savage Operations Center inside of a Harley Davidson store in Swannanoa, N.C. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH
Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Hurricane Helene continues to dominate the news locally and nationally.
Teams of reporters and visual journalists continue to document the devastation and the recovery in western NC for days on end. Roads washed away, homes destroyed, heroic rescues ensued, as people faced uncertainty in the future without running water, power and internet.
A tender moment captured when father and daughter reunited after so many days of separation in Swannanoa.
More than 82,000 fans gathered at Bank of America for a Helene concert to benefit hurricane victims, which feature headliners Luke Combs, Billy Strings, Keith Urban, Eric Church, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, the Avett Brotherrs and more. The concert raised more than $24.5 million.
Former president Donald Trump, Sen. JD Vance, Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz made final push for votes with multiple trips to Charlotte and the mountains.
Oh, by the way the Panthers ended last month with a record of 1-7, and no wins in October.
Every day visual journalists bear witness to the people in our communities and their stories. Some images are pleasant, while others are painful and heart-wrenching to produce.
Our mission is to document truthfully, fairly and with compassion.
Vice President Kamala Harris arrives in North Carolina to receive an on-the-ground briefing about the continued recovery efforts that are occurring in communities across the state after Hurricane Helene in Charlotte, NC on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. MELISSA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Adam Smith holds his daughter, Tove, 3, at Savage Operations Center inside of a Harley Davidson store in Swannanoa, N.C. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Former President Barack Obama shakes hands with well wishers in the overflow crowd area at the Charlotte Convention Center on Friday, October 25, 2024. The former president spoke to the crowd about the need to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Adam Smith, left, a former Green Beret presents former President Donald J. Trump, right, with a cross memento during the former president’s tour of damage caused in Swannanoa, NC area by Hurricane Helene on Monday, October 21, 2024. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Vice President Kamala Harris laughs with Melissa Funderburk with NC Counts Coalition as they work together to assemble care packages with toiletries for those who were affected by Hurricane Helene in Charlotte, NC on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. MELISSA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Prema Posner, left, becomes emotional after Emmaleigh Argonauta offered her free flowers at Whole Foods in Asheville, N.C. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Kelli Ball stands in the area next to her home where a landslide came through in Barnardsville, N.C. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Rainbow Kitten Surprise performs at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. on Friday, October 25, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Jason Jet, Charlotte recording artist, provided the musical entertainment at the grand opening of the C.W. Williams Community Health Center. First opened in 1981, the C.W. Williams Community Health Center on Wilkinson Blvd., is located in a medically underserved sector of Charlotte. The medical center was reopened with a grand opening event, including tours of the facility, on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. John D. Simmons For the Observer
Marvin Ridge High girls volleyball players Isabella Perkins, left, Kiley Petras, center and Karen Baylog, right, celebrate a point against Northern Guilford during NC 4A quarterfinal volleyball playoff action at Marvin Ridge High School on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Marvin Ridge defeated Northern Guilford 3-0. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette catches a pass for a touchdown during the game against the Falcons at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. MELISSA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Charlotte Checkers fan Riley Wilson, left, watches as members of the team skate past during a warmup prior to action against the Cleveland Monsters at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC on Friday, October 18, 2024. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Charlotte 49er’s defensive lineman Colin Coates, center, pressures East Carolina quarterback Jake Garcia, right, on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, NC. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Charlotte Checkers left wing John Leonard shadow is cast across the ice as he is introduced to the opening night crowd at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC on Friday, October 18, 2024. The Checkers hosted the Cleveland Monsters. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
The Bulls go to 7-0 as they defeat Shaw University 21-14 Saturday October 19, 2024. jonathan aguallo
Eric Church performs during Concert for Carolina in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
