The Aftermath of the Deluge
On Friday, September 27, at 7:30 a.m., Chris Trusz was on one of the bridges over the Broad River in Chimney Rock, hoping to capture a photograph. The river had been rising due to continuous rain for the past 36 hours, and was now 10 inches above its normal level. Trusz, a recent resident of the mountain town in western North Carolina, was not overly concerned. The locals had been warned of potential minor flooding. He managed to get his picture and returned to his home uphill.
Usually, Trusz had only a narrow view of the river from his house. However, on this day, he could clearly see the river. By the time he returned to Main Street, the Broad River had tripled in width and was running 30 inches high. Within an hour, buildings were sliding off their foundations, some being swept away entirely by the raging, mud-colored current.
Trusz described the horrifying sight of homes and debris being washed away, and cars being carried off by the floodwaters, some with their headlights still on. Three weeks after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on several towns in western North Carolina, paralyzing the entire region and causing at least 123 deaths, Trusz still couldn't shake off the disturbing images.
The residents of western North Carolina were unprepared for the magnitude of Helene's destruction. The storm, described as a "once in a thousand years" event, was not expected to hit an area 500 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and 2,100 feet above sea level. There had been no local evacuation order even as the storm approached. The hurricane dumped 30 inches of rain on western North Carolina and created winds of up to 140 miles per hour. It brought down countless trees and knocked out the electrical grid, cell phone service, and the water supply all at once. In a matter of hours, it shattered the everyday security people felt, leaving survivors to face a new reality and question whether they should rebuild their lives in a place that had just revealed its fragility.
Rebuilding after the Storm
Trusz, a property manager for Airbnb, was left wondering how to start over after the complete destruction of the area. He had just learned that Airbnb had banned rentals in the area until at least June 2025.
The disaster was further politicized during America's heated election season, with politicians, partisans, and conspiracy theorists attempting to use the destruction and death caused by Helene to score political points. Mainstream news outlets suggested the area was being taken over by armed right-wing militias, while Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted, "Yes they can control the weather," without elaborating on who "they" were.
In the midst of the chaos, a hopeful story emerged of people and government working together to aid and comfort each other in the face of the disaster. People showed concern for their fellow survivors, leaving food and drink in the lobby of a hotel with no running water. They refrained from politicizing their fellow citizens' misery. When the water supply was restored, it was clear, if not yet safe to drink, and did not cause any harm.
The Impact on the Local Economy
The destruction of the storm has raised questions about the future of the local tourism economy, which brings in $7.7 billion annually. With many of the trees that attracted 14 million visitors a year now gone, the future of tourism is uncertain. The River Arts District, a major draw for Asheville, was flooded with 27 feet of water, and the remaining studio spaces have been stripped down to the studs. The question remains: where do people find the courage and resources to start again? And what if such a storm happens again sooner than expected?
Community Response to the Disaster
Despite the devastation, the community rallied together to help. People brought gas and water on the first day, and those who could not get home, or no longer had homes to get to, were welcomed by their neighbors. Beverly Ramsey praised the self-reliance of her neighbors, stating, "Hillbillies and rednecks are a community. They want to talk about how Podunk we are and backwards. But no, we got this. We need outside assistance, obviously. But we came together immediately."
They also mourned the deaths together. Ramsey mentioned the 11 members of the Craig family who were buried alive in a mudslide, and Alison Wisely and her two young sons, who were swept away along with her fiance when they left their car and tried to run for safety.
The Recovery Process
Three weeks after Hurricane Helene, the cleanup process is still ongoing. The River Arts District in Asheville looks like it has been bombed, with crumbled warehouses, brick piles, splintered lumber, and mud-filled vehicles. The fate of the structures, many of them former mills and factories built around 1900, is unknown. The town of Swannanoa was leveled by the river of the same name, and the town of Lake Lure was sealed up tight.
An ecosystem of good hearts formed post-Helene, with teams from various organizations and private citizens volunteering to help. However, the recovery process is fraught with frustrations. Many people found out that their insurance policies did not cover flood damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with other government agencies, was also facing consumer hatred, with rumors circulating on social media about FEMA holding "special meetings" to steal people's homes and confiscate donations.
The Future of Western North Carolina
As the people of western North Carolina try to get back on their feet, many who came to help will move on to the next disaster. What "recovery" looks like is still unknown. The future of places like Chimney Rock is uncertain, with Trusz stating, "Most people will [rebuild], because it's a strong little town, but I can't blame people for wanting to leave."
The cleanup continues, with work crews clearing the roads and residents and business owners still trying to sort through what can be saved from what is gone forever. The question remains: where do you put 30 inches of rain?
Bottom Line
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina is a stark reminder of the devastating power of nature and the resilience of communities in the face of disaster. The story of the people of western North Carolina is one of loss, resilience, and hope for the future. As we reflect on their experiences, we are left with a question: How do we prepare for and respond to such catastrophic events in the future? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is every day at 6pm.
The Aftermath of the Deluge
On Friday, September 27, at 7:30 a.m., Chris Trusz was on one of the bridges over the Broad River in Chimney Rock, hoping to capture a photograph. The river had been rising due to continuous rain for the past 36 hours, and was now 10 inches above its normal level. Trusz, a recent resident of the mountain town in western North Carolina, was not overly concerned. The locals had been warned of potential minor flooding. He managed to get his picture and returned to his home uphill.
Usually, Trusz had only a narrow view of the river from his house. However, on this day, he could clearly see the river. By the time he returned to Main Street, the Broad River had tripled in width and was running 30 inches high. Within an hour, buildings were sliding off their foundations, some being swept away entirely by the raging, mud-colored current.
Trusz described the horrifying sight of homes and debris being washed away, and cars being carried off by the floodwaters, some with their headlights still on. Three weeks after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on several towns in western North Carolina, paralyzing the entire region and causing at least 123 deaths, Trusz still couldn't shake off the disturbing images.
The residents of western North Carolina were unprepared for the magnitude of Helene's destruction. The storm, described as a "once in a thousand years" event, was not expected to hit an area 500 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and 2,100 feet above sea level. There had been no local evacuation order even as the storm approached. The hurricane dumped 30 inches of rain on western North Carolina and created winds of up to 140 miles per hour. It brought down countless trees and knocked out the electrical grid, cell phone service, and the water supply all at once. In a matter of hours, it shattered the everyday security people felt, leaving survivors to face a new reality and question whether they should rebuild their lives in a place that had just revealed its fragility.
Rebuilding after the Storm
Trusz, a property manager for Airbnb, was left wondering how to start over after the complete destruction of the area. He had just learned that Airbnb had banned rentals in the area until at least June 2025.
The disaster was further politicized during America's heated election season, with politicians, partisans, and conspiracy theorists attempting to use the destruction and death caused by Helene to score political points. Mainstream news outlets suggested the area was being taken over by armed right-wing militias, while Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted, "Yes they can control the weather," without elaborating on who "they" were.
In the midst of the chaos, a hopeful story emerged of people and government working together to aid and comfort each other in the face of the disaster. People showed concern for their fellow survivors, leaving food and drink in the lobby of a hotel with no running water. They refrained from politicizing their fellow citizens' misery. When the water supply was restored, it was clear, if not yet safe to drink, and did not cause any harm.
The Impact on the Local Economy
The destruction of the storm has raised questions about the future of the local tourism economy, which brings in $7.7 billion annually. With many of the trees that attracted 14 million visitors a year now gone, the future of tourism is uncertain. The River Arts District, a major draw for Asheville, was flooded with 27 feet of water, and the remaining studio spaces have been stripped down to the studs. The question remains: where do people find the courage and resources to start again? And what if such a storm happens again sooner than expected?
Community Response to the Disaster
Despite the devastation, the community rallied together to help. People brought gas and water on the first day, and those who could not get home, or no longer had homes to get to, were welcomed by their neighbors. Beverly Ramsey praised the self-reliance of her neighbors, stating, "Hillbillies and rednecks are a community. They want to talk about how Podunk we are and backwards. But no, we got this. We need outside assistance, obviously. But we came together immediately."
They also mourned the deaths together. Ramsey mentioned the 11 members of the Craig family who were buried alive in a mudslide, and Alison Wisely and her two young sons, who were swept away along with her fiance when they left their car and tried to run for safety.
The Recovery Process
Three weeks after Hurricane Helene, the cleanup process is still ongoing. The River Arts District in Asheville looks like it has been bombed, with crumbled warehouses, brick piles, splintered lumber, and mud-filled vehicles. The fate of the structures, many of them former mills and factories built around 1900, is unknown. The town of Swannanoa was leveled by the river of the same name, and the town of Lake Lure was sealed up tight.
An ecosystem of good hearts formed post-Helene, with teams from various organizations and private citizens volunteering to help. However, the recovery process is fraught with frustrations. Many people found out that their insurance policies did not cover flood damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with other government agencies, was also facing consumer hatred, with rumors circulating on social media about FEMA holding "special meetings" to steal people's homes and confiscate donations.
The Future of Western North Carolina
As the people of western North Carolina try to get back on their feet, many who came to help will move on to the next disaster. What "recovery" looks like is still unknown. The future of places like Chimney Rock is uncertain, with Trusz stating, "Most people will [rebuild], because it's a strong little town, but I can't blame people for wanting to leave."
The cleanup continues, with work crews clearing the roads and residents and business owners still trying to sort through what can be saved from what is gone forever. The question remains: where do you put 30 inches of rain?
Bottom Line
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina is a stark reminder of the devastating power of nature and the resilience of communities in the face of disaster. The story of the people of western North Carolina is one of loss, resilience, and hope for the future. As we reflect on their experiences, we are left with a question: How do we prepare for and respond to such catastrophic events in the future? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is every day at 6pm.
