In the shadow of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, our WNC community continues its steady march toward recovery. Three months after Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, the landscape tells a story of both devastation and determination, of loss and unwavering hope.
Our first visit, with relief supplies, took place in October. Returning to Asheville and the surrounding areas, the scars of Helene’s fury remain visible. Along the DOT highways, fallen trees still await clearing, their presence a reminder of nature’s raw power. In the lowlands, where the storm’s impact was most severe, discarded housing materials dot the landscape, awaiting reclamation.
Yet amidst these lingering wounds, something remarkable emerges: the unbreakable spirit of neighbor helping neighbor, weaving a foundation upon which we can truly “build back better.”
The beloved Old Fort stands true to its name, rebuilding with determination as you approach the Continental Divide at 2,786 feet. The bridge linking I-40 and the downtown is now passable. Continuing west through Ridgecrest into Buncombe County, the scene is one of constant motion.
Day and night, construction vehicles and dump trucks traverse our roadways, steadily clearing debris and restoring our infrastructure. It’s a symphony of recovery, played out in diesel engines and heavy machinery.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, our region’s crown jewel, tells its own story of gradual healing. While the northbound section from the visitor center has reopened, the southbound portion remains closed due to ice conditions – a reminder that nature’s challenges continue even as we rebuild from the hurricane’s impact.
Among the bright lights in the recovery effort has been Earl B. Hunter, Jr., founder of Black Folks Camp Too, whose presence in Western North Carolina embodies the very essence of community healing. True to his Unity Blaze message, Hunter has been instrumental in ensuring that recovery efforts reach every corner of our community, regardless of background.
His organization’s commitment to making the outdoors welcome to everyone has transformed into a broader mission of inclusive disaster recovery, proving that when we come together, we build back stronger. The Unity work of BFCT reminds us that true recovery means ensuring no one is left behind, and that the outdoors – even in its recovery phase – should be a place where everyone feels welcome and supported
Mountain True: Recovery work, while crucial, doesn’t mean we can’t find moments of joy and community connection. In fact, connecting is crucial for sustaining the energy to recover. And when you can add a small boost to the local economy it takes on even more purpose. Like the night ski with Bob Wagner, executive director of Mountain True, an organization that has been instrumental in coordinating relief efforts since day one. Our evening at the newly opened Hatley Pointe Ski Mountain, (Former Wolf Laurel) just north of Asheville, wasn’t just about recreation – it was about supporting local businesses and celebrating new growth in our region.
Hatley Pointe represents the kind of economic vitality that can be found in WCN.. If you’re looking to support local while having an incredible mountain experience, consider planning a visit to this impressive new venue. Your tourism dollars do more than provide you with a memorable adventure; they help fuel our community’s recovery and support the local businesses that make our region special.
The heart of the community’s response can be seen in the tireless work of organizations like United Way of Buncombe County. During a recent visit with Carrie Wagner, we witnessed firsthand how their coordinated efforts have made a crucial difference in people’s lives. Through their efficient distribution network, hundreds of jackets, gloves, footwear, and other cold weather essentials – generously donated by NCOREC customers and businesses – have found their way to families in need just as winter temperatures descended upon our region.
Carrie shared touching stories of families receiving supplies, each account a testament to the power of community caring. While there’s still work ahead, the robust support network now in place gives us confidence that we can meet whatever challenges lie ahead. These connections between donors, organizations, and recipients have created a tapestry of support that continues to grow stronger with each passing day.
Like the majestic ridges that trace the outline of our beloved mountains, the response to this disaster has revealed the contours of our collective character. We’ve been weathered and transformed, certainly, but not broken. Where earth meets sky along our mountain horizons, we’ve found our true north – a compass point guided by mutual aid and shared purpose.
In these three months, we’ve witnessed countless acts of kindness and resilience. Our community has grown stronger through shared hardship, each person contributing to the massive task of rebuilding. As winter settles in and new challenges arise, we continue to hear each other into “deeper and deeper speech,” finding light even in shadow, hope even in hardship.
The road to recovery stretches before us, but we travel it together, our paths illuminated by the same spirit of community that has carried us through these first crucial months. In the face of Helene’s destruction, we’ve discovered that our greatest strength lies not in our individual resilience, but in our collective determination to rebuild, restore, and reimagine our beloved mountain home.