In Asheville, North Carolina, Air Force veteran Nathan Garrison observed from a hotel parking lot as loader trucks cleared debris from a blocked road leading to his former home. The trucks worked tirelessly, scooping up cement and dirt and discarding them in their beds. “I lost everything,” shared Garrison, a 75-year-old retired Air Force veteran, brushing Marlboro ashes from his white beard. “All my belongings ended up in the trash.”
Over two months after Hurricane Helene displaced tens of thousands of residents in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, the $500 million federal cleanup effort seemed to barely make a dent. Garrison anticipated residing in an Asheville hotel until his home, the Veterans Restoration Quarters, was restored in approximately a year. The hurricane tragically claimed the lives of at least 223 individuals across the Southeast, with about half of the fatalities in North Carolina.
The aftermath of the disaster painted a bleak picture in many areas, with abandoned blocks that once housed homes, deserted apartment complexes, and waterlogged cars scattered under the winter sun. Tree remnants, debris, and household appliances littered roadsides and rivers, illustrating the extent of the destruction.
Asheville local Jeff Davis, 62, adapted to the chaos surrounding him, noting that half of the residents in his multi-unit apartment complex had permanently left town after enduring a week without clean water. “People are carrying on with their lives despite the disappearance of many residents,” Davis remarked. “Accepting reality is necessary; this is the situation we face.”
Biltmore Village, previously a bustling area attracting numerous tourists yearly, now stood desolate, with empty lots and remnants of shops and eateries that succumbed to the floods. The once-thriving winter tourism industry, known for its scenic mountains and vibrant music scene, had come to a halt.
The repercussions extended to businesses in the region, with over 100 small enterprises in Asheville shutting down due to infrastructure damage or decreased revenue. Asheville Mayor Manheimer expressed concern over the economic impact, highlighting the significant loss of revenue expected in Buncombe County this winter.
Unemployment rates surged in the county post-hurricane, becoming the highest in the state at 8.8%, up from 2.5% in September. Local officials emphasized the urgency of revitalizing tourism to support struggling businesses and restore the vibrant atmosphere that once defined Asheville.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, families were provided with temporary shelter, food, and water, and efforts were made to restore electricity over the course of several weeks. Swannanoa, a rural community severely impacted by the disaster, saw entire residential blocks abandoned and numerous homes demolished. Fire Chief Anthony Penland stated that the cleanup timeline remains uncertain.
To date, almost half of the 10,129 displaced households assisted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been relocated to temporary shelters like hotels, apartments, and mobile homes across the state. The remaining households have secured long-term housing arrangements. While the temporary housing initiative was initially set to conclude on December 12, FEMA assured that individuals would not be forced out and that efforts to secure permanent housing would be expedited.
FEMA disclosed that $262 million has been allocated towards individual rental assistance and home repairs for Helene survivors in North Carolina, with an additional $274 million directed towards infrastructure repairs and debris removal. Further financial aid is anticipated, pending establishment of funding specifics.
Local officials expressed gratitude for the aid received thus far, emphasizing the necessity for continued support to restore affected areas like Asheville, Biltmore Village, and their environs. A delegation of North Carolina officials visited Washington to request $25 billion in federal funding for the repair of homes, roads, bridges, and infrastructure in western North Carolina.
Swannanoa, a rural community with 5,000 residents near Asheville, remains deeply affected by the hurricane, with ongoing cleanup efforts anticipated to extend over the next two years. Community member Tissica Schoch highlighted the solidarity that emerged among neighbors in the storm’s aftermath. Additionally, business owner Jessie Dean recounted substantial losses due to flooding, underscoring the absence of flood insurance coverage.
Annie’s building was demolished by another warehouse, which was occupied by the Asheville Tea Company. “I’m still processing,” said Dean, the owner who established her business eight years ago. “It was so shocking and traumatic.” She expressed her determination to rebuild her business not only for herself but also to showcase the resilience and strength of the people of Buncombe County. “There was never a question about that,” Dean stated. “It’s challenging to maintain resilience and strength.”
For those who were experiencing homelessness prior to the disaster, life could become even more arduous. Orica Hamilton, 35, was one of about a dozen individuals still residing at a shelter set up inside a Gold’s Gym. However, this temporary refuge is scheduled to close at the end of the month. “It’s kind of stressful,” Hamilton shared, who was couch surfing before the hurricane. “I don’t have anywhere to go at the moment.”
