ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County officials held their final Tropical Storm Helene community briefing Wednesday, marking nearly a year of recovery since the storm devastated Western North Carolina in September 2024.
The 86th and last briefing capped almost 12 months of daily, weekly and monthly updates after Helene killed 43 people, damaged thousands of homes and businesses and left a lasting mark on the region.
“While the storm has taken so much from us, it has not claimed our spirit,” said Amanda Edwards, chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. “We have not forgotten the 43 people lost to Helene.”
Progress report
County Manager Avril Pinder outlined milestones across six priorities:
- Natural and cultural resources: 477 field visits through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program; continued park reopenings.
- Infrastructure: 344 hazard mitigation applications, 892 private road and bridge requests, 55 landslide inspections.
- Housing: More than 2,000 damage assessments, 600-plus emergency repair permits and over 1,500 households receiving FEMA rental assistance.
- Debris management: More than 3 million cubic yards cleared; 6,000-plus private property removal applications processed.
- Economic revitalization: $1.5 million in grants awarded to 137 small businesses.
- Health and social services: Four shelters and eight care stations provided more than 48,000 showers, 61,000 laundry loads and $2.3 million in energy assistance.
The Helene Resource Center in downtown Asheville and the One Buncombe Call Center remain open to help residents with case management, home repair programs, and grant applications.
Resilience and costs
Local leaders said recovery has also meant planning expensive resiliency projects — including an alternate water bypass and rebuilding a damaged gate.
City officials said the projects could each cost $9 million to $10 million, with the city covering initial expenses while awaiting possible reimbursement. Funding may come from FEMA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality.
“These kinds of water system upgrades don’t happen quickly or cheaply,” said Clay Chandler, communications specialist for Asheville’s Water Resources Department.
Design work on the bypass alone could take more than a year.
Officials added the region’s watershed remains vulnerable. Though water systems are largely restored, reservoirs still contain storm debris from landslides, increasing the risk that even moderate storms could disrupt treatment and filtration.
Community reflections
Leaders from Asheville, Black Mountain, Montreat, Woodfin and Biltmore Forest joined the briefing, along with Sheriff Quentin Miller and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander Col. Brad Morgan.
Miller praised deputies who worked through personal loss: “They set aside their own situations to respond and assist the residents of this county.”
Morgan said corps crews handled debris removal in 18 counties and three cities. “It’s been one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs I’ve had,” he said.
What’s next
Pinder said the county will finalize its Helene Recovery and Strategic Plan later this year, shaped by input from more than 2,600 residents.
Remembrance events are planned this month, including a French Broad River blessing in Arden, a Swannanoa art show, a resilience walk in Fairview and a tree giveaway in Black Mountain.
County offices will open late Sept. 24 to allow staff to attend a commemorative breakfast.
“Over the past year, it has been Buncombe County’s honor to be trusted to bring you information through these briefings, and it is also a big step to close this chapter of our response,” Pinder said. “We’re here for you, not just now but for the long journey ahead. We’re a part of this community, and we’re dedicated to serving it.”
