Town forced to make difficult decisions in wake of catastrophe: 'I hate to see it go'
A small town in North Carolina is working hard to recover in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Outside Asheville, Black Mountain is home to 8,500 people. Six months after the system, by then a tropical storm, devastated the area, the town council is making difficult decisions about the path forward, the Black Mountain News reported.
In a March 10 meeting, the group voted to stop a Cragmont Park project so it could use the remaining $476,000 from a $492,00 budget in Helene relief efforts.
"At this time, we need every dollar we can find and it makes sense for us to terminate this contract," council member Doug Hay said. "But I do hope that we are able to do this again and push the project forward someday."
Facilities and project manager Angela Reece said: "I hate to see it go. But I understand it is a difficult decision for the town."
The News provided a detailed rundown of the recovery process, including affected facilities, programs, and outdoor spaces. A dog park is projected to reopen in summer, and the golf course maintenance shop will have to be rebuilt elsewhere. A trail and greenway remain closed, and Asheville Fence is donating $37,500 in materials to install fencing at Veterans Park.
Roads have been stabilized, equipment has been replaced, and one emergency services project was completed, while work on another has started.
The Lakeview Center, home to senior events, is closed because it's being used as office space, which means the town is looking for a different site that has everything it needs to host meals.
Black Mountain received a $3 million bridge loan from the state Department of Environmental Quality and a $750,000 cash flow loan from the state. Assistant town manager Jessica Trotman said "there are a lot of coals in the fire" but that it was just a "fraction" of what's to come, per the News.
Importantly, the town restored water distribution via a permanent repair, had temporarily shored up a watershed, and was in the process of stormwater control. These measures can help protect people and buildings from the consequences of future tropical storms, which are becoming more intense as global temperatures rapidly rise.
Do you think your city has good air quality?
Definitely
Somewhat
Depends on the time of year
Not at all
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
This overheating of Earth is primarily caused by the burning of dirty fuels for energy, so clean energy alternatives such as solar panels and less polluting modes of transportation like electric vehicles can help create a cooler, safer future. You can also support brands that make environmentally friendly decisions, which include reducing pollution and offering plastic-free packaging.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
16 hours ago
Home to North Carolina iconic attraction reopens after Hurricane Helene's devastation
CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. -- An iconic tourist attraction in an area of western North Carolina among the hardest hit by Hurricane Helene reopened to the public on Friday, nine months after the storm brought historic flooding, destruction and loss of life. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and other officials attended a reopening ceremony at Chimney Rock State Park, which is about 25 miles (40.2 kilometers) southeast of Asheville. The main portion of the park will now be open again from Fridays to Mondays to visitors who make reservations, Stein's office said. Stein also signed into law before the ceremony's crowd another state Helene recovery bill finalized by the General Assembly on Thursday that sends $700 million to the state's Helene relief fund and appropriates $500 million of that. And Stein announced a new tourism campaign to encourage travel and spending in the North Carolina mountains. 'Today's reopening is a huge achievement,' Stein told attendees. 'Chimney Rock is just one of the many places that make western North Carolina unforgettable.' Last September's storm swept away the ornate stone and concrete bridge across the Broad River to reach the portion of the park that contains the 315-foot (96-meter) high geological formation that's shaped in keeping with the park's name. The park, which also features hiking trails and other amenities, usually attracts 400,000 people annually. A road had to be paved and a temporary bridge made from old railroad cars was laid over the river. The reopening provides needed encouragement to those in adjoining Chimney Rock Village, where a third of the hamlet's businesses were destroyed as river waters removed buildings from their foundations. 'It almost wiped us off the map,' village Mayor Peter O'Leary said on Friday. 'The village knew one thing that was of utmost importance to our survival. We had to have Chimney Rock State Park open again.' Some village businesses are reopening. Before Friday's bill signing, the General Assembly already had appropriated or reallocated more than $1.6 billion for Helene recovery. The new Helene law is the fifth relief package approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly since last fall. The Democratic governor said Friday that he's still seeking direct aid for small businesses and more funds for affordable housing. But he was still pleased with the legislature's action. 'We have a lot of work to do, but it's also good to take stock and recognize that today is a good day,' Stein said. The governor is also seeking more federal funds for Helene recovery beyond the billions already received by the state and by those harmed by the storm. State officials say the storm caused more than 100 deaths in North Carolina and generated roughly $60 billion in damages and needs.
Boston Globe
16 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Home to North Carolina iconic attraction reopens after Hurricane Helene's devastation
Advertisement 'Today's reopening is a huge achievement,' Stein told attendees. 'Chimney Rock is just one of the many places that make western North Carolina unforgettable.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up A US flag flies half-staff on top of Chimney Rock mountain in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C. Mike Stewart/Associated Press Last September's storm swept away the ornate stone and concrete bridge across the Broad River to reach the portion of the park that contains the 315-foot (96-meter) high geological formation that's shaped in keeping with the park's name. The park, which also features hiking trails and other amenities, usually attracts 400,000 people annually. A road had to be paved and a temporary bridge made from old railroad cars was laid over the river. The reopening provides needed encouragement to those in adjoining Chimney Rock Village, where a third of the hamlet's businesses were destroyed as river waters removed buildings from their foundations. Advertisement 'It almost wiped us off the map,' village Mayor Peter O'Leary said on Friday. 'The village knew one thing that was of utmost importance to our survival. We had to have Chimney Rock State Park open again.' Some village businesses are reopening. Before Friday's bill signing, the General Assembly already had appropriated or reallocated more than $1.6 billion for Helene recovery. The new Helene law is the fifth relief package approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly since last fall. The Democratic governor said Friday that he's still seeking direct aid for small businesses and more funds for affordable housing. But he was still pleased with the legislature's action. 'We have a lot of work to do, but it's also good to take stock and recognize that today is a good day,' Stein said. The governor is also seeking more federal funds for Helene recovery beyond the billions already received by the state and by those harmed by the storm. State officials say the storm caused more than 100 deaths in North Carolina and generated roughly $60 billion in damages and needs.
San Francisco Chronicle
16 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Home to North Carolina iconic attraction reopens after Hurricane Helene's devastation
CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. (AP) — An iconic tourist attraction in an area of western North Carolina among the hardest hit by Hurricane Helene reopened to the public on Friday, nine months after the storm brought historic flooding, destruction and loss of life. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and other officials attended a reopening ceremony at Chimney Rock State Park, which is about 25 miles (40.2 kilometers) southeast of Asheville. The main portion of the park will now be open again from Fridays to Mondays to visitors who make reservations, Stein's office said. Stein also signed into law before the ceremony's crowd another state Helene recovery bill finalized by the General Assembly on Thursday that sends $700 million to the state's Helene relief fund and appropriates $500 million of that. And Stein announced a new tourism campaign to encourage travel and spending in the North Carolina mountains. 'Today's reopening is a huge achievement,' Stein told attendees. 'Chimney Rock is just one of the many places that make western North Carolina unforgettable.' Last September's storm swept away the ornate stone and concrete bridge across the Broad River to reach the portion of the park that contains the 315-foot (96-meter) high geological formation that's shaped in keeping with the park's name. The park, which also features hiking trails and other amenities, usually attracts 400,000 people annually. A road had to be paved and a temporary bridge made from old railroad cars was laid over the river. The reopening provides needed encouragement to those in adjoining Chimney Rock Village, where a third of the hamlet's businesses were destroyed as river waters removed buildings from their foundations. 'It almost wiped us off the map,' village Mayor Peter O'Leary said on Friday. 'The village knew one thing that was of utmost importance to our survival. We had to have Chimney Rock State Park open again.' Some village businesses are reopening. Before Friday's bill signing, the General Assembly already had appropriated or reallocated more than $1.6 billion for Helene recovery. The new Helene law is the fifth relief package approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly since last fall. The Democratic governor said Friday that he's still seeking direct aid for small businesses and more funds for affordable housing. But he was still pleased with the legislature's action. 'We have a lot of work to do, but it's also good to take stock and recognize that today is a good day,' Stein said. The governor is also seeking more federal funds for Helene recovery beyond the billions already received by the state and by those harmed by the storm.
