US EditionOn North Carolina’s Rivers and Streams, the Cleanup of Helene’s Fury Seems Never-Ending
More than 200 wineries faced damage, with some still closed a year after Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding and landslides in western North Carolina.
- It was a year ago Friday that Cory Lillberg, co-owner and winemaker at Parker-Binns Vineyard in Mill Spring, recalled forecasts of wind and rain as Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina, causing regionwide devastation described as the worst disaster from Chimney Rock to Asheville.
- Heavy rain and wind during Hurricane Helene triggered landslides and mudslides that severed major routes like I-40 and the Blue Ridge Parkway, while North Carolina DOT reported 734 affected roads.
- Many wineries across the state reported structural and business losses, with Pleb Urban Winery leveled, Euda Wine and Souther Williams Vineyard closed long-term, and Burntshirt Vineyards' tasting-room front collapsing.
- Although many operations reopened quickly, damaged roads and bridges kept visitor traffic low during the busiest season, with Chimney Rock accessible only via NC 9 through Lake Lure.
- A year on, most wineries report some return to normal operations even as rebuilding continues, with Parker-Binns Vineyard regaining normalcy and Cory Lillberg optimistic about next year and Chimney Rock's 2027 reopening.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Queen City News
WNCTOne year after Hurricane Helene: How you can help Western North Carolina’s recovery heroes
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- It’s been nearly one year since Hurricane Helene ripped through western North Carolina, leaving destruction in its wake and a long road to recovery for many communities. More than 108 people lost their lives, and thousands of homes, studios, bridges, and businesses were damaged or destroyed. Even now, the work continues. A few nonprofits have become anchors of hope. Here’s how folks across the Carolinas can step in…
Almost all N.C. wineries have reopened since Helene, but some detours to normalcy remain
In some cases, getting to wineries a year after the worst storm to ever hit western North Carolina remains a problem. Others have seen traffic drop just from the perception that travel there is still an issue.
N.C National Forests Make Significant Progress Towards Recovery After Hurricane Helene
Last Updated on September 25, 2025 10:09 am ASHEVILLE, N.C., Sep. 25, 2025—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has made significant progress in repairing and restoring the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests from the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene one year ago. “Hurricane Helene had an unprecedented impact across all of western North Carolina, and the damage on the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests was particularly…
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