Press Release: Asheville Community Faces Long Road to Recovery After Hurricane Helene
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Months after Hurricane Helene, a Category Four storm that struck the eastern U.S. in September, Asheville residents are still contending with significant challenges in the aftermath. According to local resident and former northern Michigander Paul Heaton, "It’s like living on the moon," describing the landscape littered with dried sediment and dust combined with a lack of rain since the storm.
Heaton, who previously lived in Traverse City and has firsthand experience with natural disasters, emphasizes the unique devastation brought by Helene. "There is absolutely nothing that compares to this in terms of the devastation," he shared.
Despite the passage of time, the impact of the hurricane lingers. Most Asheville residents, a city of approximately 100,000 people, went without drinkable water for 54 days after the storm, relying on boiled or bottled water for basic needs. As the holiday season approaches, Heaton notes a critical loss: the tourism that usually bolsters the local economy. He works part-time at the Biltmore Estate, where visitation has dramatically decreased since the hurricane.
However, the community’s response has been commendable, with federal and Red Cross support being instrumental in recovery efforts. The Red Cross had already set up shelters and resources before the storm hit, demonstrating a proactive approach.
In the wake of such adversity, community members are looking out for one another on a deeper level. Heaton urges those with connections in western North Carolina to check in on their friends and family in the area, saying, "It’s hard, and it’s going to take a long time to recover." As Asheville continues to rebuild, the spirit of support and resilience remains strong.
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Photo credit www.upnorthlive.com