Lake Lure’s One Year Commemoration from Helene
An inspirational journey of resilience, response, care and recovery while looking to the future…….
It has been a sincere privilege to follow the recovery process for Lake Lure and Chimney Rock after the overwhelming destruction from Helene on September 27th of 2024. This is the fifth update article for our ACBS Blue Ridge Chapter that was founded at Lake Lure in 1986.
The physical and emotional impact has been borne by so many residents, businesses, emergency responders, community leaders and their teams. Local area churches have been an essential part of this process as everyone came to grips with the extent of the initial damage and trauma…….then pulled together to take their first steps, followed by one after another after another….
To support them, an expansive and deeply committed response has flowed into the affected areas through local, county, state, regional, governmental faith based, charity, business, professional and national resources. The enduring commitment, generosity and tireless work ethic by everyone has helped to shoulder the recovery process through powerful and personal ways.
It was a special moment to attend the Commemoration Ceremony on September 27th of 2025 and to quietly and personally share in the different comments and recognition given by Lake Lure Mayor Carol Prichett, Mayor Peter O’Leary from Chimney Rock, Colonel Brad Morgan of the USACE and other local and North Carolina state leaders and officials. My personal emotions have run deep……and to be quite honest, misty eyes can come easily at different moments during each visit. Our articles on the recovery have always been accompanied by photographs that can bring us closer to the process.
CLICK HERE for the Commemoration Ceremony program pages. If I may ask, please take a moment to click on this and read through all the amazing supporters listed in the different categories. They have given selflessly to the recovery effort, and this is the best way to see how extensive the support has been……and continues to be.
The US Army Corps of Engineers under the guidance of Colonel Brad Morgan has done an outstanding job of removing debris and silt from the lake while working to reshape key aspects of the river channel. As we know, the river was transformed in ways that could not have been imagined before this kind of storm. Colonel Morgan would be the first to say that this has been a true partnership of effort with many key supporters and participants.
Additionally you will find a photo gallery below showing the recent silt removal process in Washburn Marina Bay where our show is held. This also includes photos of the river channel both above and below the Memorial Bridge. Since these photos, the contractors have transitioned from silt removal to shoreline stabilization and restoring the conditions similar to before the storm.
The Town has done an excellent job of sharing the recovery progression on their website. On October 17th they published a very informative Restoration Update. I believe that you will find this to be well worth reading. You can follow these updates as they are posted by checking the site.
Please simply click on the link below.
https://www.townoflakelure.com/community/page/lake-lure-usace-restoration-update-october-17-2025
The amount of work and logistics has been immense, and the USACE contract has been extended to November 20 to further complete the mission. To date the teams have removed more than 1.2 million tons of debris from the lake.
Chimney Rock shops have undergone a remarkable transformation, and it is so nice to see the visitors enjoying themselves amidst the rebuilding still to come. You will see a photo diagram showing the new access to Chimney Rock Park and it looks great! So many volunteers and shop owners have worked together with tremendous determination, donations and effort. The changes are very impressive.
Looking forward……we are working with Town of Lake lure to review the best possible dates for our return in 2026 based on the completion of the new boat Marina in Washburn Bay / Morse Park where our show is held. There is a special opportunity to join in with the Town’s Centennial Celebration in October of next year. We are also considering a Trailer Show in the Spring or early summer to continue our support. More details will follow soon, and I will update everyone at our Annual Meeting November 15th.
My sincere thank you for reading through this update, and my best wishes to all,
Respectfully, Steve
