what the mud took

Short Documentary Film

Produced/Directed by Max Feliu for UNC Media Hub

When the most powerful Atlantic hurricane since Katrina struck Western North Carolina in September 2024, Daniel Wright had two minutes to evacuate his home of twenty years. Hours later, a river of mud consumed everything his family had built. Fighting public amnesia became the community’s most difficult task as national attention continued to fade.

"What The Mud Took" chronicles the aftermath of Hurricane Helene through the lens of Daniel Wright. His home now stands stripped to its wooden skeleton, with bare studs exposed after dozens of volunteers helped remove water-logged drywall and insulation. He had to throw nearly everything he owned away into a growing pile of debris at the curb in front of his property. Wright's personal journey of loss and resilience raises the topic of how communities survive after media attention fades. As months pass, the people of Western North Carolina face unique challenges in their recovery. Unlike coastal hurricanes, Helene devastated a mountain region where harsh winters and rugged terrain complicate rebuilding efforts, thus capturing a critical moment in the rebuilding process. This isn't just a story of destruction – it's about what remains when the waters recede, and why we must remember.