Recovery continues for western NC nearly two months after Hurricane Helene

Nearly two months after Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, the region is still hurting with a long road to recovery. While efforts to rebuild are underway, many local businesses and their employees continue to face significant challenges.

Ed Haag, a restaurant worker in the area, said the economic strain has been felt deeply by both workers and residents.

“I see a lot of people who are scared, and there’s a bit of desperation,” Haag said. “People haven’t been able to afford their rent. I have friends who switched apartments, and they’re paying last month’s rent, a new rent, and a deposit—it’s just too steep for them.”

Haag’s perspective reflects the struggles of many in the hospitality industry, where the storm’s timing has been particularly devastating.

“It came at the busiest time of year for local businesses,” he explained. “For people who rely on tips, the volume just isn’t there. It had already been a down year compared to the last two, so it’s really had a tough knock-on effect. A lot of people weren’t prepared for this.”

Tourism in the region typically spikes in the fall as visitors come to Western North Carolina for its beauty and holiday traditions. However, with the area’s recovery still in its early stages, the upcoming holiday season may see fewer tourists than usual.

State Environmental Health Director Larry Michael said thousands of hotels and restaurants are still under a boil water advisory. That means the hotels that have reopened are offering bottled water for guests for drinking, washing their hands and brushing their teeth.

Restaurants without potable water are unable to serve certain foods, like salads or fresh vegetables that need to be washed.

“This is unlike anything I’ve ever worked on before,” Michael said. “The way places operated months ago is not the same as today.”Last month, Governor Roy Cooper estimated that Western North Carolina would need at least $53 billion to fully recover from the hurricane’s impact.

Fortunately, some tourist attractions have reopened. Grandfather Mountain opened Oct. 23, and Biltmore welcomed guests back Nov. 2 for the first time since Helene for its Christmas at Biltmore event.

While the recovery will undoubtedly be long and costly, Haag remains optimistic.

“The area will recover,” he said. “It’s just a matter of how extensive the recovery is and how long it will take. This could take years.”

As businesses and residents continue to rebuild, the lasting effects of Hurricane Helene are a reminder of the long-term struggle many will face in returning to normalcy.

You can click here to see which restaurants in Asheville are open with safe, clean and potable water.