Avery County Faces New Challenges After Hurricane Helene’s Aftermath
Avery County, North Carolina, struggles again as heavy rains wash away bridges, isolating families and complicating recovery efforts.
Avery County, North Carolina, Hurricane Helene, Emergency Services, Recovery Efforts
Avery County: It’s been a tough time for this small county in western North Carolina. Just when they were starting to recover from Hurricane Helene, another storm hit. This time, heavy rains washed away nearly a dozen foot bridges. Now, some families can’t even get emergency help.
County Manager Phillip Barrier mentioned that over three inches of rain caused the bridges, which were built by volunteers after the hurricane, to disappear. These bridges were crucial for residents to access emergency services.
With the bridges gone, more than 20 residents are cut off from first responders. It’s a real concern, especially since the bridges that used to help people cross rivers were already damaged in the hurricane and haven’t been fixed yet.
Barrier pointed out that there are several folks who can’t get the help they need right now. It’s just another setback for Avery County, which has a population of about 18,000.
After Hurricane Helene, over 400 residents were displaced, and around 120 homes were either destroyed or badly damaged. Recovery has been slow, with many people still living in hotels, with family, or in campers on their properties.
Robin Ollis, who started an organization called Bridges for Avery, is worried about families with kids and elderly folks being stranded. She said the community is still trying to wrap their heads around the devastation from the hurricane.
There’s been a lot of sadness and confusion about the recovery process, according to Ollis. The hurricane was brutal, claiming at least 223 lives across the Southeast, with many of those in North Carolina.
It’s displaced tens of thousands of people in western North Carolina, and the federal government has already spent a whopping $500 million on cleanup efforts. In some areas, entire blocks where homes used to be are just gone, and waterlogged cars are left to rot.
On top of that, Buncombe County is expected to lose nearly $600 million in revenue this winter due to travel and lodging declines. More than 100 small businesses in Asheville have already shut down because of damage or falling revenue. It’s a tough time for everyone.