Moore announces $13.85 million for Helene recovery

Lake Lure parks and pedestrian bridge, Rutherfordton school buildings and Polk County debris removal are covered by five FEMA awards.

More than two years after Hurricane Helene, U.S. Rep. Tim Moore announced $13.85 million in federal recovery funding on Thursday for projects in Lake Lure, Rutherfordton and Polk County.

The five Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awards cover public facilities and debris removal. About $8.7 million is designated for Lake Lure, where the storm damaged parks, waterfront infrastructure and a pedestrian bridge connecting the town across the Broad River to Chimney Rock.

“Western North Carolina has made significant progress since Hurricane Helene, but recovery is far from over,” Moore, R-N.C., said in an Oct. 22 statement. “This funding will repair school buildings, restore the Lake Lure bridge, reopen parks, and clear debris across Rutherford and Polk Counties. I appreciate the Administration and the folks at FEMA for continuing to prioritize Western North Carolina's recovery.”

The largest award, $4,934,881.17, will support repairs at multiple Lake Lure facilities, according to Moore’s office. Those include Morse Park, Lake Lure Beach and Water Park, lake access ramps, the lake seawall and cobblestone walkway, Pool Creek Picnic Park, Lake Lure green space, a fire department dry hydrant and the Washburn Marina seawall.

A separate $2,255,390.10 award is designated for restoration of the pedestrian bridge between Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, which the announcement describes as severely damaged by Helene.

Helene heavily damaged the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge before its demolition in 2025. The gardens on both sides have been replanted. The town of Lake Lure owned the historic bridge after NCDOT, and leased it to the nonprofit.

US Army troops helped with the recovery efforts there for a brief period after the storm before being told to leave by then-governor Roy Cooper, public records show. Cooper, a Democrat, faces three challengers, including Republican Michael Whatley on the ballot for US Senate.

Another $1,529,181.91 will support repairs to Buffalo Creek Park, Weed Patch Mountain Trails and Lake Lure’s dredge spoils retention ponds. The release says the work will restore those facilities to their pre-disaster design, function and capacity.

Together, the Lake Lure awards cover recreation facilities as well as infrastructure supporting lake maintenance and emergency response.

Rutherfordton is designated to receive $3,161,956 for restoration of two school buildings at 132 and 134 Maple St.

Polk County will receive $1,970,168.29 for Helene debris removal operations.

Moore’s office cited Section 428 of the federal Robert T. Stafford Act as authority for the Lake Lure awards, Section 406 for the Rutherfordton building repairs and Section 407 for Polk County debris removal.

The awards total $13,851,577.47, according to the release.

The announcement comes less than two weeks before Election Day. Moore faces Democrat Lakesha Womack in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District race on Nov. 3.