Downtown Marshall Grand Reopening, May 2025, Photo credit to Town of Marshall
On Sept 27, 2026, we mark the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene, a storm that has changed the land and people of Western North Carolina forever. Recovery has been challenging, but we are still here and we love where we live and work—and wow, what a difference a year can make.
Western North Carolina: Now, and Building for the Future
Although there is still plenty of recovery work to be done, it's important to recognize how far we've come in the last year.
- As of September 2025, 97% of the roads damaged by Helene have reopened.
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has removed approximately 8 million cubic yards of debris from Hurricane Helene's impact in Western North Carolina as of September 2025, with around 6.6 million cubic yards of that being waterway debris.
- The U.S. Forest Service has cleared hundreds of miles of trails in the Pisgah National Forest, including at Looking Glass Falls.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway has recently reopened significant sections between Asheville and Linville, including access to Mount Mitchell and the Linn Cove Viaduct. A continuous, 114-mile stretch from Cherokee to Asheville is now open, restoring access to popular overlooks and trails.
- Downtown Asheville is thriving and open for business. Businesses in Asheville's River Arts District and Historic Biltmore Village, including restaurants, have reopened despite catastrophic flooding.
- Many downtown Marshall and Hot Springs businesses have reopened their doors and are welcoming visitors.
- NC State University's agricultural and resource economics specialists are helping the farming community rebuild and adapt farming practices after the storm heavily damaged crops and facilities.
- Popular spots, such as Catawba Meadows Park, have reopened to the public.
- The jobless rate in Buncombe County, home to Asheville, has dropped significantly since January 2025, a sign of a healthy economic rebound.
One year later, the scars of Hurricane Helene remain—but so does the strength of the people who call Western North Carolina home. From the mountains to the valleys, from farms to small businesses, from trails to towns, recovery has been a collective act of resilience, creativity, and love for this place. We are rebuilding not just roads and buildings, but communities and dreams.
The spirit of Western North Carolina is unshakable, and as we look ahead, we do so with gratitude for how far we’ve come and determination for the future. Together, we are writing a story of hope, renewal, and a bright future in these mountains we call home.
