INTRODUCING BLUE RISE COMMONS
ListenING. ImaginING. ActING.
THE IMPACT OF HELENE
On September 26th and 27th, Hurricane Helene dumped 43 TRILLION gallons of water on the mountains of Western North Carolina. That is roughly the equivalent of Lake Tahoe being released in 36 hours. The effects were utterly devastating for Asheville and the surrounding areas of Swannanoa, Chimney Rock, Bat Cave, Lake Lure, Marshall and too many others to mention. Some of the stats released so far about the extent of damage include 1,893 landslides, 126,000 home damaged, 1,000 bridges and culverts destroyed, 6,000 miles of road impassable, 160 water and sewage systems incapacitated — all totaling over $53 Billion in damages. Of course, there are no statistics or dollar estimates that can ever account for the loss of lives and livelihoods as a result of Helene.
DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE SHAKEN BUT STILL STANDING
Asheville is not just a single place. It’s not just the central business district or the South Slope or West Asheville or Montford or RAD. it’s also the surrounding communities across the region. This larger, greater Asheville is intertwined with love and hope. Thankfully the heart of Asheville sits on a ridge in the center of a beautiful valley and was relatively unharmed. But only when all the branches of this great tree are green and growing again will we all rise in WNC.
“Hold on another day. help is on the way.
WE ARE ONE TODAY. Help is on the way.
THIs is where we live. This is where we’ll stay. Help is on the way.”
— Richard Gilbert
