An inspirational journey of resilience, response, care and recovery while looking to the future…….
By Steve Dewire, Blue Ridge Chapter
It has been a sincere privilege to follow the recovery process for Lake Lure and Chimney Rock after the overwhelming destruction from Helene on September 27th of 2024. This is the fifth update article for our ACBS Blue Ridge Chapter that was founded at Lake Lure in 1986.
The physical and emotional impact has been borne by so many residents, businesses, emergency responders, community leaders and their teams. Local area churches have been an essential part of this process as everyone came to grips with the extent of the initial damage and trauma…….then pulled together to take their first steps, followed by one after another after another….
To support them, an expansive and deeply committed response has flowed into the affected areas through local, county, state, regional, governmental faith based, charity, business, professional and national resources. The enduring commitment, generosity and tireless work ethic by everyone has helped to shoulder the recovery process through powerful and personal ways.
It was a special moment to attend the Commemoration Ceremony on September 27th of 2025 and to quietly and personally share in the different comments and recognitions given by Lake Lure Mayor Carol Prichett, Mayor Peter O’Leary from Chimney Rock, Colonel Brad Morgan of the USACE and other local and North Carolina state leaders and officials. My personal emotions have run deep……and to be quite honest, misty eyes can come easily at different moments during each visit. Our articles on the recovery have always been accompanied by photographs that can bring us closer to the process.
They have given selflessly to the recovery effort, and this is the best way to see how extensive the support has been……and continues to be.
The US Army Corps of Engineers under the guidance of Colonel Brad Morgan has done an outstanding job of removing debris and silt from the lake while working to reshape key aspects of the river channel. As we know, the river was transformed in ways that could not have been imagined before this kind of storm. Colonel Morgan would be the first to say that this has been a true partnership of effort with many key supporters and participants.
The amount of work and logistics has been immense, and the USACE contract has been extended to November 20 to further complete the mission. To date the teams have removed more than 1.2 million tons of debris from the lake.
Chimney Rock shops have undergone a remarkable transformation, and it is so nice to see the visitors enjoying themselves amidst the rebuilding still to come. You will see a photo diagram showing the new access to Chimney Rock Park and it looks great! So many volunteers and shop owners have worked together with tremendous determination, donations and effort. The changes are very impressive.
Looking forward……we are working with Town of Lake lure to review the best possible dates for our return in 2026 based on the completion of the new boat Marina in Washburn Bay / Morse Park where our show is held. There is a special opportunity to join in with the Town’s Centennial Celebration in October of next year. We are also considering a Trailer Show in the Spring or early summer to continue our support.
More details will follow soon, and an update will be provided at the Blue Ridge Chapter meeting in November. If you’d like to stay up with regular progress on Lake Lure, please visit the Town of Lake Lure’s webpage.
Thank you for reporting on the progress. We hear of disasters, and then they disappear.
It’s amazing the progress they’ve achieved after such devastation. Thanks for sharing this story.