Officials mark one year since Hurricane Helene, highlight progress on repairs
HAYWOOD COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — One year after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, federal, state and local leaders gathered Friday to reflect on the storm’s toll and highlight the progress made in recovery efforts.
Helene struck on Sept. 27, 2024, becoming the state’s deadliest and most destructive storm. The storm claimed 108 lives and caused billions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, natural attractions, and transportation infrastructure.
At a milestone event in the Pigeon River Gorge, near where floodwaters washed away portions of Interstate 40, officials shared updates on recovery efforts. I-40, which was closed for five months, reopened to limited traffic in March, with permanent repairs now underway.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, heroes emerged – and the employees of the Department of Transportation are among the best,” said Gov. Josh Stein. “We must keep bringing that same urgency, grit, and heart to this work.”
State Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins said the scope of damage was unprecedented, with 9,400 sections of roads, 846 bridges, and more than 1,700 pipes and culverts affected. Repairs are expected to cost around $5 billion, far more than all storm-related transportation costs in North Carolina since 2016 combined.
“Our No. 1 priority over the past year has been to restore transportation and help folks in western North Carolina recover,” Hopkins said.
Transportation workers were praised for their immediate response, from cutting away downed trees and photographing damage from the air to saving lives along I-40 by evacuating motorists before floodwaters swept away parts of the interstate.
The Federal Highway Administration recently announced $1.15 billion in emergency relief funding to support Helene repairs. As of this month, NCDOT reports more than 6,500 damaged sites have been completed, 98% of roads have reopened, and more than 500 bridges and nearly all culverts have been repaired.
