Officials Provide Green River Updates

NCDOT to Begin Helene Repair Work on Green River Cove Road in Polk County

Work will run from Silver Creek Road to Fishtop Access; delays and closures expected through winter. Crews with the North Carolina Department of Transportation will begin repair work on Green River Cove Road from Silver Creek Road to Fishtop Access to address damage caused by Hurricane Helene, according to a statement from Polk County officials released on June 23.

County officials said the project is part of ongoing recovery efforts following the 2024 storm, which caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage across western North Carolina.

“Expect delays and intermittent road closures during construction. Repairs are expected to be complete in Winter,” the county said in its announcement.

A photo accompanying WCAB News coverage is a file image from the North Carolina Department of Transportation on Route 9 that goes over the Green River, pulled from its public Flickr archive.

State wildlife officials called the Green River "dangerous" in a separate press release discussing recreation post-Helene.

"The Green River offers fantastic recreation, but it carries inherent hazards. Key risks include steep whitewater, strong currents, cold water, and hidden underwater debris. Following severe weather, local changes to the underwater landscape have elevated these risks," NC Wildlife said on its website.

The project area includes sections along the river near Lake Adger, where additional recovery work has been underway for dredging. While surrounding roadways and access points have seen debris removal and repairs, county officials have confirmed the Lake Adger Dam itself has not been modified or directly repaired as part of the current work.

Polk County Manager Marche Pittman has said in recent public meetings that officials are still awaiting determinations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding long-term infrastructure needs tied to the dam and watershed system.

Recovery efforts continue across Polk County nearly 22 months after Hurricane Helene, with several road corridors and rural access routes still undergoing phased reconstruction and stabilization.