Asheville Faces Challenges After Hurricane Helene
Asheville, N.C. – The charming city of Asheville is known for its vibrant arts scene and bustling tourism, which typically draws thousands of visitors every year. However, a recent disaster has left this community reeling as Hurricane Helene swept through, striking at a time when the area relies heavily on tourism.
A Tough Blow for Local Businesses
October is typically a golden month for Asheville, bringing in tourists eager to experience the fall foliage, local festivals, and unique culinary offerings. Unfortunately, this year, it brought devastation instead. “We lost pretty much all of October,” said local chef Michelle Bailey, who runs an established restaurant and event space in the River Arts District. “We were in business for eight and a half years, and it was just a really special place.” For Bailey, the impact was deeply personal; her wedding reception was held at her restaurant just last year, and now it stands in ruins.
The French Broad River swelled during the hurricane, surpassing flood stage by almost six feet and reaching a staggering total of over 24.5 feet. This flood submerged the River Arts District, an essential component of Asheville’s economy, contributing around $1 billion in annual sales and supporting nearly 8,500 jobs.
Aftermath and Recovery Efforts
As the city begins to assess the damage, it becomes clear that recovery will be a long journey. Many businesses that depend on October’s revenue for survival are now facing an uncertain future. “Some areas of western North Carolina are not able to host visitors right now,” Bailey pointed out, highlighting the challenges that come with such a major setback.
Efforts are underway to support the local economy. The Explore Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau is stepping in to help displaced businesses and artists. They have launched a program called “Love Asheville From Afar,” which allows patrons to buy directly from local businesses online, offering much-needed relief in these trying times.
Moreover, the Asheville Area Arts Council has rolled out the Always Asheville Fund. This emergency relief grant offers $500 stipends to arts professionals affected in the 25 counties hit hard by the hurricane. “Those funds will go straight towards businesses to support both rebuilding and staffing,” explained Luisa Yen from the bureau.
Building for the Future
As Bailey begins to pick up the pieces, she is shifting to a more mobile business model. When we caught up with her, she was engaged in salvaging whatever she could, from pots and pans to keepsakes. “I grabbed our last health inspection score off the wall; it was not touched by the water,” she said, reminiscing about the small victories as she navigates the debris.
Among the remnants of her destroyed space was a frame containing an old newspaper article from her culinary school days, one that spoke to the resilience of the region. “We found this in the debris today,” said Bailey, showing it off as a reminder of what the area had overcome. “I would just say keep an eye, things are changing quickly.”
Looking Ahead
For those eager to lend their support, Buncombe County tourism officials encourage checking Always.exploreAsheville.com for updated travel advisories and to see what local businesses and restaurants are open. The community is resilient, and with the help of both locals and visitors, Asheville is determined to rise from the ashes of this setback.
As the city continues to face challenges, the spirit of Asheville shines through, with people rallying together to rebuild and recover. As Bailey aptly put it, “When they get reopened, that’s the symbol of OK; they want some business.” The journey ahead may be tough, but the heart of Asheville is unyielding.
