One year ago, Hurricane Helene became the most impactful natural event to hit Asheville and Western North Carolina in decades. The storm reshaped landscapes, disrupted livelihoods, and tested the resilience of communities across the region. Asheville One Year Later One year after Hurricane Helene, Asheville is defined as a resilient community that has worked tirelessly to rebuild . What stands out most is a shared commitment to rebuild with intention, care, and pride. Ashevil

Recently partnering with Discover Burke County has been a true highlight, especially in this post-Helene season of rebuilding and renewal. It’s been inspiring to witness the hard work of the folks who make this such an incredible place to explore, from the water adventures on Lake James to the accessible Fonta Flora trails. Equally rewarding was hearing the stories of local business owners and getting to experience their hospitality firsthand. Wonderful food, beverages, and p

Spring reminds us that even after the harshest seasons, life finds a way to bloom again. In Lake Lure, NC stands the Flowering Bridge, known for its marvelous beauty. After Hurricane Helene, the local community came together with hundreds of donated bulbs and planted the seeds of hope, renewal, and belief in a brighter future. Though a long road still remains for the recovery of Chimney Rock, seeing the eventual reopening of local businesses and Chimney Rock State Park on the

A Three-Part Video Series with Explore Asheville When a place as special as Asheville faces adversity, one thing is certain, this community comes together. After Hurricane Helene left its mark on the region, the heart of Asheville never wavered. Small businesses reopened, local makers got back to work, and the mountains stood strong as ever. At Mountainwater Films, we believe that storytelling has the power to capture moments of resilience and renewal in a way that inspires,

As a new year emerges, so do resolutions of renewal, hope, and action. Yet, in Western North Carolina, it doesn’t take much to see those aspirations challenged. Just a few months ago, Biltmore Village—a charming gateway to downtown Asheville—was overwhelmed by the force of the Swannanoa River. Submerged by Hurricane Helene’s relentless fury, this once-thriving village of shops, galleries, and restaurants now sits eerily quiet in its wreckage. For those of us creating destinat

We are living in extraordinary times. A pandemic. A nation reeling in raw pain. Downtown Asheville looks more different now--albeit with more hotels scattered among its skyline than--the past 40 years. Here are some sites of boarded up storefronts in Asheville in June 2020. Mountainwater Films is helping Western NC communities rebuild through authentic storytelling. Learn more about our recovery work.

On the evening of March 2, 2020 several tornadoes ripped through Middle Tennessee.

Earlier this year, in late September, Noble Cider's Greenhouse partnered with the Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society (emasnc.org) to co-host a viewing session of the chimney swifts who call the flue of The Greenhouse home. In honor of our small friends, who once lived in the hollows of trees, our Mixologist Maty created a cocktail dubbed 'Hello Darkness, My Old Friend' (a barrel-aged take on a Black Manhattan) inspired by the idea of swifts looking like cigars when in flig