From Knockout to Comeback: North Carolina Embraces the “Rocky” Spirit in Rebuilding After Hurricane Helene
- T Michele Walker
- Jul 10
- 6 min read
By T. Michele Walker
If you’ve lived in Florida for more than a few years, there are three things in which you become accustomed: seasonal afternoon monsoons, bugs, specifically mosquitoes and cockroaches, and Jim Cantore.
Cantore, the meteorologist with The Weather Channel, is infamous for his coverage of hurricanes. Cantore sightings are a running joke amongst Floridians. If Jim Cantore is in your neighborhood, that is a sure sign it’s time to evacuate.
It was September 24, 2024, and after reporting from Port Richey, Cantore moved to Tallahassee, Florida. It was an expected move, as this was where Hurricane Helene was projected to make landfall and do her worst damage.
One place Cantore did not travel was the western section of North Carolina. How could Cantore, or anyone for that matter, expect historic damage to a location that hadn’t experience this catastrophic impact since the 1916 Asheville floods. These floods were considered a benchmark for the worst natural disaster in western North Carolina’s history-that is, until Hurricane Helene in 2024.
It is true that the area experienced some minor peripheral damage during Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Fred (2021), but it paled in comparison to what was ahead.
Almost Heaven, Western North Carolina
Bryson City, North Carolina is a quaint village, tucked between the Smoky Mountains and the Tuckasegee River, and where the townsfolk are famous for their hospitality, their love of community and camaraderie. When the news came in that a storm was heading their way, the townspeople went about their preparations with a sense of duty, and a tad of disbelief. Afterall, the last hurricane to hit the area had been so long ago that even the tree had forgotten how to sway.
As Helene made her approach, the winds began to howl and the rain pounded, rattling the windows with unexpected force, the community evacuated to the local high school gym, sharing stories and food, still laughing as if to deflect the impending disaster that would upend their lives.
Bryson’s City’s once sleepy streets had been transformed by the violence of the storm’s screaming winds. Shingles took flight, with trees flailing to the breaking point. The river, once a place of peace, now threated to swallow Main Street whole. Yet, the people didn’t just hunker down, they hustled, boarding up windows, hauling sandbags, checking on their neighbors to make sure no one was left behind. Neighbor helping neighbor and displaying the kind of bravery that defines small town grit.
When the storm finally passed, the aftermath was a display of destruction. The streets were littered with debris, and the beloved tea shop and café, the Whistling Kettle, stood battered but unbroken, its sign hanging by a thread. When the sun broke through the clouds, illuminating the aftermath of the storm, the townsfolk emerged from their shelters, not defeated but determined. They gathered in the town square, their spirits unyielding. Whether or not to rebuild was not the question. The only question was how to rebuild.
The loss was felt immediately, but the residents and business owners didn’t allow this to stand in their way. "I have lost 50 to 90% of my reservations... I don't know how I'm going to survive this, that's when we all kick into gear and say, 'Okay, what can we do?'” said Erin Smith, an Airbnb owner.
In the heart of the storm-ravaged area, hidden amongst pines, lay the Hemlocks Resort—a once-thriving haven for weary travelers and adventurous souls. After the devastating storm had swept through, leaving the resort in disarray, the townsfolk gathered to discuss its fate. With a mix of nostalgia and determination, they decided to breathe new life into the beloved retreat. Armed with hammers, nails, and an abundance of enthusiasm, they set out to rebuild, each person bringing their unique flair to the project.
As the days turned into weeks, the resort began to transform. The scent of fresh paint mingled with the crisp mountain air, as the townsfolk worked side by side. They unearthed forgotten treasures—a vintage jukebox, a collection of mismatched chairs, and even a dusty old piano that had seen better days. Each item was lovingly restored, and soon the resort was a patchwork of memories, a testament to the town’s spirit.
Finally, the grand reopening day arrived, and the air electric with excitement. The townsfolk, dressed in their finest attire, gathered to celebrate their labor of love.
"All of the downtown stores that were affected are open. All the restaurants are open and everything is running normally—we're pretty much back to normal,” said Smith.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the newly rebuilt Hemlocks Resort, the newly renovated piano filled the air echoing through the mountains. Laughter and joy intertwined as the community came together, not just to celebrate a building, but to honor their resilience and the bonds that had grown stronger through the process. The Hemlocks Resort was no longer just a place to stay; it had become a symbol of hope, a reminder that even after the fiercest storms, beauty could be rebuilt, one heartfelt note at a time.
The Path Forward as the Healing Continues
Less than one year after Hurricane Helene, recovery efforts are ongoing, as western North Carolina is still in the long and difficult process of recovery. The storm caused unprecedented damage, devastating floods, landslides and widespread damage, resulting in at least 107 fatalities and an estimated $59.6 billion in damages not just in their area but across the state. All of this highlighted the need for improved flood mitigation and building practices in inland areas.
While some business, like those in Cherokee, The Biltmore Estate, which experienced minimal damage, and The Hemlocks in Bryson City, have reopened better than ever, other areas continue to face challenges:
Some residents are still living in temporary shelters or campers.
There are concerns about the long-term impact of the storm on mental health and well-being.
The recovery process is uneven, with some communities facing greater challenges than others.
Overall, while significant progress has been made in the recovery from Hurricane Helene, the situation in western North Carolina remains complex, with both successes and ongoing challenges. While some businesses have been able to reopen and rebuild, others are still facing the long-term effects of the storm and working towards recovery.
Thanks to support from state-funded grants, non-profit assistance like habitat for Humanity, organizations like UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC, and organization like Samaritan’s Purse, recovery has been accomplished in record time. The strongest support has been neighbor to neighbor, community support. Because of this support, tourism is returning to the area as Bryson City opens its doors.
The Hemlocks—Open for Business
As Central Floridians face the certain oppressive heat and humidity of the summer season, it’s good to know that a quick trip to the mountains is still available and ready to welcome all who desire a cool, elevated outdoor retreat.
The Hemlocks is an elevated adventure lodging, designed to blend the excitement of the outdoors with modern comfort. It’s a one-of-a-kind stay that redefines the North Carolina, mountain experience. Plus, it offers the opportunity to spotlight a region of Western North Carolina that is ready to welcome visitors and rebuild its tourism economy following 2024’s Hurricane Helene.
Located in the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), The Hemlocks presents newly constructed bungalow-style cabins nestled among the trees on a mountainside near Bryson, City, NC. Blending with the natural surrounding and offering a blend of nature’ tranquility and modern comforts, these lux-cabins boast stunning mountain views and easy access to the Nantahala River, Lake Fontana, Flint Ridge, and the Appalachian Trail.
The bungalows come in two configurations: single king bedroom with a full bathroom and two king bedrooms with two bathrooms. They include enhanced interiors, kitchenettes, washers and dryers, dishwashers, cozy sitting areas with modern fireplaces, and flat-screen TVs. Guests can also enjoy spacious decks with beautiful views, ziplining, white river rafting, biking, and of course, hiking.
In the face of Hurricane Helene’s wrath, Bryson City had not only weathered the storm but had also woven a new chapter into its history of resilience, proving that even in destruction, there is a beauty that binds a community together.
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