SOUTH ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A Community Comes Together After Hurricane Helene
It’s been a month since Hurricane Helene barreled through this beautiful corner of western North Carolina, leaving a wake of destruction that’s hard to miss. When you stroll through South Asheville, it feels like a scene from a disaster movie. You’ll see shade trees turned into piles of timber on lawns, and heaps of ruined flooring and sheetrock lining the roads. Bridges have been severed, and homes, cars, and appliances have just been left where they landed—some even perched on riverbanks in the most peculiar spots. Just the other day, I saw a camper wedged into the railing of a city playground. Talk about a bizarre sight!
The resilience of this community is simply amazing. Since the storm hit on September 27, residents and volunteers have joined forces to help those affected. They’ve been providing everything from food to gloves and even generators for those in need. Clearly, there’s a strong drive here to rebuild, all while honoring the memory of the aftermath of such a devastating event.
Feeling the Strain
While it’s uplifting to see everyone come together, there’s no sugarcoating the fact that life here has become exhausting. Many workers are feeling the pinch after losing wages, and small business owners are struggling to recover dreams that were dashed in the storm’s wake. Some restaurants and shops are trying to remain open, but they’re operating on limited hours and offering fewer choices. And let’s not forget about the kids; many have been out of school for nearly a month, with the area’s largest district only returning to classroom life last Friday.
Tourism is a huge contributor to the region’s economy, especially during the gorgeous month of October. Initially, officials urged visitors to reconsider their travel plans, but now, towns across western North Carolina are pleading for those leaf-peepers to come back. Local businesses are promoting their operating hours and encouraging patrons to visit. Even the famed Biltmore Estate is looking like it’s under construction, with its entrance surrounded by a wire fence and an unsettling sense of desolation as fewer trees mark the landscape.
An Ongoing Recovery
Thanks to the storms in September, Asheville’s water system took quite a hit. While the water supply is slowly coming back online, many residents are dealing with brown water that’s only safe for flushing toilets. Response teams have set up shower trailers across town, and stores are stocked with towers of bottled water as folks are advised to boil their tap water before using it. With the bike and hiking trails reopening, there’s a little relief for residents who need to clear their heads outdoors. Sadly, the Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed, and many cherished mountain views are still out of reach.
The recovery efforts will require immense resources. Estimates suggest that the damage and recovery needs from Helene could cost a staggering $53 billion. Thankfully, the state’s General Assembly has approved a second round of relief funding, amounting to $604 million, which comes after the initial $253 million outlay. State leaders are advocating for even more help, with one official calling $3.9 billion a “downpayment on western North Carolina’s future.”
The Road Ahead
Discussions around rebuilding have raised some tough questions, especially about how this community can learn from such an event. It’s clear that areas now devastated but never expected to flood will have to undergo significant changes in their approach to development. With affordable housing already strained, thoughtful conversations will be essential in this rebuilding process.
There’s also the pressing need to upgrade Asheville’s aging water system, which has been a hot topic for years. The recent crisis has forced that dialogue to front and center, revealing the costs involved in repairing such critical infrastructure.
As we move further along in this recovery journey, Buncombe County is seeing an incredible outpouring of generosity. With donations flooding in for things like food and clothing, officials are now asking for financial contributions to help sustain cleanup operations, since many jobs will require the expertise of professionals rather than volunteer efforts.
For many, the tragedies faced by Asheville and surrounding areas like Lake Lure, Burnsville, and others will linger in memory long after the debris is cleared. As outside support continues to dwindle, it’s crucial for the needs of western North Carolina to remain top of mind, ensuring that this close-knit community rises from the challenges ahead.
