Two years after Helene, Lake Lure officials remember the devastation

Two years after Helene, Lake Lure officials remember the devastation

By Lauren Miller, WSPA, 9/25/26

LAKE LURE, N.C. (WSPA) – Towns across western North Carolina are marking two years since Hurricane Helene devastated the region on Sept. 27, 2024.

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In Lake Lure, community members and local officials are reflecting on the destruction while continuing long-term rebuilding efforts.

The hurricane brought severe damage to several mountain communities, including Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, and Bat Cave.

Nationwide, Hurricane Helene resulted in at least 248 deaths, including at least 70 indirect deaths and caused over $78 billion in damage, according to estimates from the National Hurricane Center.

Rebuilding efforts began immediately following the storm, involving daily coordination between local officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett recalled the immediate aftermath of the storm, which washed massive amounts of debris down the gorge and Broad River from Chimney Rock into the lake.

Debris piled 20 feet high covered the nearby Memorial Bridge, blocking access to the area.

“You know, as you reflect back upon that now, it’s almost impossible to believe how horrendous it was,” Pritchett said. “Memorial Bridge, which is right up the road, was covered by debris that was 20ft high, it was totally impassable. So people had no ingress or egress.”

Pritchett noted that runoff swept material into the lake from miles away.

“Almost everything came down the Gorge, Broad River, everything and Chimney Rock, everything from all the way up to Broad River and deposited itself in the lake here,” Pritchett said.

At the marina, boats were lifted by stormwaters and stacked into large piles.

“All the boats that you see in the Marina were piled up, maybe 20 or 30ft high in a pile where they had just been lifted up and deposited,” Pritchett said.

In response to the devastation, rebuilding teams worked 12-hour shifts from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, collaborating directly with emergency management officials.

Pritchett said the lake has since recovered significantly, with regular water monitoring taking place.

“The water quality is perfect. We test that constantly and have since the first day of this of the of the storm. the fish are everywhere. We’re seeing people out on their boat. As you can see, the Marina has been completely restored,” Pritchett said.

Community members who assisted with recovery efforts also noted the physical changes to the landscape.

Mark Deaton, who helped with local recovery efforts, remembered gathering near the water before the storm destroyed local landmarks, including the Flowering Bridge.

“We used to come up here and. And barbecue out here on the grills. We brought the church group out here,” Deaton said.

Joe Bates, who also helped with local recovery efforts, observed the progress made across the community despite the initial loss.

“As devastating as it was, just looking around right now, it’s such a beautiful place still,” Bates said.

The town of Lake Lure is currently seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to rebuild its town hall. Local officials are also continuing work on other municipal infrastructure projects, including improvements to the town’s sewer and wastewater systems.