MAYOR PETER O'LEARY UPDATE | Reflections on the One-Year Anniversary of Helene

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In Chimney Rock Village as we reflect on the past year it is still hard to believe everything that has happened. The changes to our community and our lives are still something we are getting used to. It is amazing how much our Village has changed. I am still shocked at times as I drive up the Gorge or look around at Main Street. The devastation was monumental.

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When I think about what this day was like last year it seems like a dream. I remember the shock, the surreal nature of the aftermath I was witnessing, and the struggle to come to grips with what my eyes were seeing.

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In the days following the flood teams of search and rescue personnel from all over the country swarmed through the Village. The Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department became a hub of activity, a social gathering space, and the nerve center of the constant meetings to determine our path forward.

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The volunteer firefighters were constantly moving, working, responding to calls and the needs of the recovery. Politicians, emergency personnel, law enforcement, military, state and national government officials were coming and going every day. Water, food, clothing, supplies of all kinds came in pickup trucks and trailers from all manners of groups and individuals and soon filled any extra space at the Fire Department. It was chaotic but it was reassuring. People from all over were here to help.

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Eventually some sort of order began to emerge. Shane Zoccole and Spokes of Hope arrived and began to organize and direct the volunteers. The Village Council under Steve Duncan’s direction kept the government going and remains steadfast.

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A Task Force was created and began to formulate a recovery plan. A “pop up” Village came into being for the merchants to use at the Tryon Equestrian Center. DOT developed and the public weighed in on highway designs, temporary bridges and entrances for the State Park, and permanent bridge and highway plans.

So many decisions and plans were put into place or put into motion. It was a daily effort that in retrospect became an incredible and fast-moving recovery. Chimney Rock can be proud of this process because it has positioned the Village well for future success.

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It can seem as if this were all preordained somehow, or we just followed a well-designed playbook of disaster recovery rules. None of us have rebuilt a Village and we are still learning and rewriting the rule book every day. It has required a lot of work and effort from so many people. We are still approaching this day by day and step by step because we know no other way.

The list of people who are contributing to this success story is long and varied and almost impossible to compile without leaving out many.

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If you or your group helped with the recovery, please share a brief comment or photo about your involvement. We appreciate everyone who has supported us and continues to do so. Thank you!

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