One Year After Hurricane Helene, how is Asheville Doing?

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. Asheville remains a place shaped by creativity, connection, and a deep love for the mountains that surround it.

Outdoors

Western North Carolina’s outdoors took a seismic hit during Hurricane Helene. Trails were damaged, waterways changed, and access was temporarily lost in many areas. One year later, the outdoor community has been hard at work restoring what makes our landscape special. Main corridors of the Blue Ridge Parkway have reopened just in time for peak leaf season. The outdoors remain central to life here, not just as a draw for visitors, but as a core part of the region’s identity and economy.

Foodtopia

Asheville’s food scene has always been about more than what is on the plate. It is about farmers, chefs, brewers, and small business owners who believe in local flavor and community connection. After the storm, many of these businesses faced major challenges while pitching in to serve the community.

Black Mountain and Swannanoa

Swannanoa was what many referred to as the Ground Zero of Hurricane Helene, and the road to recovery has not been easy. While this community continues to rebuild and support one another, the progress is slow but steady, which is a testament to the strength of this community and its determination to move forward together.

Art and Music

Art and music have long been the heartbeat of Asheville, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, they became vital mediums for healing through expression and teamwork. The River Arts District remains the central hub of Asheville's art community, and the efforts to rebuild and reimagine the area are well underway.