Exclusive: Chimney Rock Council Approves Hurricane Recovery Plan

The Chimney Rock Village Council adopted sweeping budget amendments on Aug. 19 and formally approved a long-term recovery plan nearly a year after Hurricane Helene devastated the town. Leaders described the fiscal year as unlike any in village history, with millions in federal disaster aid and local relief funds helping to restore water, sewer, and streets while businesses and residents continue to struggle.

WCAB News was the only media outlet present at the meeting. 

At the center of the meeting was the “Raise the Rock Recovery Action Plan,” a community-driven blueprint developed with consultants Destination by Design (DbD). 

DbD is funded by county tax dollars through the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (TDA). Officials said the plan will guide Chimney Rock’s physical and economic rebuild for years to come. The council also approved budget adjustments reflecting more than $3 million in unexpected revenues and expenses tied to storm recovery.

Village officials reminded the public of how much was lost last September. “We were devastated by Helene,” town administrator Steve Duncan said. “We lost buildings, we lost infrastructure, water, sewer, and bridges. We lost residences. Immediately after, and even up to today, we had no employees, no businesses operating. Our entire road and highway systems and structures were gone.”

Federal aid has been the backbone of recovery. “Of all the entities, the one entity that has provided us funding has been FEMA. We’re very pleased with that,” Duncan said, noting the village has received about $1.25 million in FEMA reimbursements. In addition, the Helene Relief Fund raised $463,000, of which $432,000 has already been distributed to 69 applicants.

Task force chair Don Cason urged the council to adopt the recovery plan. “The option of doing nothing is not an option,” he said. “Every one of the task force members has worked very hard over the last eight or nine months. There’s a lot of people around Western North Carolina, the state, and FEMA taking a look at what you’re going to see here.” Cason also serves as the Executive Director of the TDA.

Consultant Eric Woolridge of Destination by Design presented highlights, including proposed streetscape projects, riverwall improvements, and infill development. He noted that NC Department of Commerce grants totaling $5.5 million could be shifted from the west end of the village to the east side to avoid construction conflicts with NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT). “From a time standpoint, we need to spend this money in three years,” Woolridge said. “That might get kind of tight.”

According to DriveNC.gov, the road from Chimney Rock to Bat Cave is not expected to reopen until June 30, 2027. There's currently a temporary road in place that is meant for construction and local traffic only. Chimney Rock Village and Chimney Rock State Park are open to the public and may be accessed from Lake Lure, Duncan said last week.

The state-funded projects include:

• East Main Street Streetscape Retaining Wall – $1,000,000 to protect public assets and stabilize the foundation of Chimney Rock’s commercial district. Officials said the project will reinforce small businesses, improve safety and visitor access, and “drive sustainable economic growth in the Village.”

• East Gateway Streetscape South Project – $1,000,000 to remove about 800 feet of damaged infrastructure and replace curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and parking with ADA-compliant features. The improvements will restore access to local shops and services, helping businesses reopen and attract foot traffic.

• Village Plaza Repair Project – $1,000,000  to remove hazardous infrastructure and install new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and stormwater systems designed to withstand future storms. The goal, according to project documents, is to “reestablish a safe, accessible, and welcoming space for residents and visitors.”

• West Gateway Streetscape North Project – $1,000,000 to rebuild pedestrian infrastructure on the west side of the village. The streetscape will be fully ADA-compliant, with new sidewalks, ramps, and marked routes to improve safety and walkability.

• Village Core Streetscape Repair – $500,000  to install about 400 feet of ADA-compliant sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and stormwater upgrades in the central business area. The project builds on earlier phases launched before Helene with Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) support and is seen as essential to restoring the heart of downtown.

Council members agreed with the recommendation, approving a motion to request the shift. “We would rather have that project there than no project at all,” Woolridge said.

The meeting also covered infrastructure updates. Officials confirmed that permanent water service has been restored, though stormwater infiltration into the new sewer system remains a challenge. Paving on the post office side of Main Street is expected to begin this week. A temporary wastewater package plant is being used now, given to the town by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

On finances, the council approved writing off about $5,000 in unpaid water bills from properties destroyed or severely affected by the storm. “The best thing we could do is write these off and start fresh as of September 1,” Duncan said. Going forward, unpaid accounts could face water shutoffs or property liens.

The council also approved a conditional use permit for a new short-term rental on Silver City Road and discussed the need for sign compliance as businesses rebuild.

As the meeting closed, officials acknowledged the extraordinary circumstances of the past year. “I’ve been making these budgets for the village since 1991, and I had no certainty in anything I just told you,” Duncan said. “It’s been a very difficult budget.”