Clean-up continues in devastated Chimney Rock, Lake Lure 1 month after Helene
(WLOS) — Merchants and residents in Chimney Rock report progress in the clean-up of mud that swept through the town and into store buildings, destroying businesses a month ago during Helene.
Main Street’s double yellow lines are now visible after crews from volunteers to the U.S. Army to the National Guard helped clear the road and shovel out mud from stores.
Only contractors and volunteers with Chimney Rock’s clean-up efforts are allowed in downtown corridor.
A few weeks ago, you couldn’t get near these stores,” said Barbara Meliski. “They were filled with mud.
Meliski once served as Chimney Rock’s mayor. She sees resolve in those who had stores here, but without a massive crew to come in daily and continue concentrated work, the town is quiet and empty.
Crews with the Department of Transportation are working in the riverbank of the Broad. The goal is to return the river to its original flow path and then build a gravel road where the road into Chimney Rock once was before it was washed away.
“First, we helped the homeowners pull things out of the stores,” said Connie Humenik, outreach coordinator for nonprofit volunteer faith responder group Spokes of Hope. “We scooped mud literally from the surface of the floors. A deep amount of mud.”
There is heavy machinery up and down Main Street in Chimney Rock continuing to clear debris.
In nearby Lake Lure, progress has been made to clear piles of mud from fields near the Town Hall. Huge 30-foot mounds remain of the silt moved out of the areas that included parks.
In Lake Lure, boats remained moored up against mounds of dirt. But Paul Brock, who owns Lured Market and Grill in Lake Lure, said locals are determined to build back.
“Some things are happening quicker than we thought,” said Brock, who has had his grill open since the start of the disaster.
There is free lunch served by his staff every day for contract crews and volunteers.
OCT. 28, 2024 – Crews in Lake Lure continue to remove mud, dirt and debris. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
National Guard members were at Brock’s restaurant eating lunch before heading back to their work along the Broad River at a stretch between Lake Lure and Chimney Rock.
“We’re going to get as much done as we can,” said Sgt. Cory Stanfield with the National Guard.
Stanfield’s team is building up dirt at the location of a washed-out bridge where the plan is to build it back.
Olivia Stewman, Lake Lure town manager, said work is almost done in repairing damage to the dam.
The U.S. Army’s Corps of Engineers, she said, have contracted with Ashbritt to continue contract rebuilding and repair work along with hiring subcontractor companies.
On Monday, Oct. 28, News 13 spoke with a crew removing large tanks from an area along Lake Lure. The crew foreman said the EPA contracted with the company to remove hazardous material.
Stewman said that this week, the town will have its sewer system restored and will drop its no-flush order.
She also said that Ashbritt will focus crews on the massive debris field in the middle of Lake Lure, which she says is two football fields long and 50 feet deep.
