‘It was a nightmare.’ Helene brought historic damage to North Carolina

LAKE LURE, N.C. - Residents of the picturesque Rumbling Bald area, nestled along Lake Lure, faced harrowing challenges after Hurricane Helene, which brought down trees, blocked roads, and left many stranded. Among those affected was Judy Jay, 77, who, along with her husband Bob Jay, 82, found themselves navigating a dangerous path to reach their granddaughter’s wedding amidst the disaster.

”It was a nightmare,” Judy said in an interview on Monday. “We woke up Friday morning and couldn’t even leave our neighborhood. Seventeen trees were down, and it wasn’t until many hours later that we could clear a path.”

The Jays, along with a few neighbors, managed to clear 15 trees themselves.

“We didn’t have a choice. We knew we had to get to Asheville for the wedding, and there was no help in sight,” Judy Jay said. “We had no power, no cell service and no way of knowing how bad the storm had hit beyond our neighborhood. The Rumbling Bald landscaping contractor came as we were almost done and cut out the last two trees on our street.”

Their journey to Asheville was equally challenging. As roadways across the area remained blocked or closed, the couple was forced to take detours, eventually making their way to I-26. It was the only accessible route to Asheville during the hurricane due to flooding and landslides.

“It was 6 p.m. by the time we left, and we didn’t get to the DoubleTree Hotel until after midnight,” Judy said. “By then, the hotel had no power or water either, and we spent the night on the lobby floor.”

Despite the hardships, the wedding still took place. It had been planned for over a year at the Biltmore, but it was canceled there due to flooding.

“My granddaughter got married in the dark at DoubleTree,” Judy said. “We had cupcakes that were meant for the rehearsal dinner for the wedding cake, and some kind ladies at the hotel helped us put together a bouquet.”

After the wedding, the difficulties weren’t over. Family members who had flown in from Seattle found themselves stranded, and one was taken to Mission Hospital, needing medical care. Meanwhile, the Jays had to keep refueling rental cars for family members, waiting in long lines to fill up at gas stations.

”We’re so grateful for everyone who pitched in to help—neighbors, the hotel staff, and even strangers. It’s something we’ll never forget,” Judy said.

Helene brought up to 2 feet of rain and the worst flooding North Carolina has seen in a century, the AP reported. At least 40 people died in Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, and the deadly devastation has been horrific. A courthouse security officer died after being submerged inside his truck. A couple and a 6-year-old boy waiting to be rescued on a rooftop drowned when part of their home collapsed.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to tour Western North Carolina on Wednesday. Officials in Asheville said the city’s water system sustained catastrophic damage that could take weeks to fully repair. Government officials, aid groups and volunteers were working to deliver supplies by air, truck and even mule to the town and surrounding mountain communities The Associated Press reported.

Credit: Annie Dance

Credit: Annie Dance

The Jays were able to make it home and are grateful for the steady flow of information from Rumbling Bald staff, who have provided daily updates to residents since the storm hit.

”The staff has been incredible,” Judy said. “Every day, they’ve kept us updated on the progress being made with the roads, utilities, and rescue operations. We feel supported, even in such a challenging time without power.”

Access Restricted to Residents

With much of the area still in recovery mode, access to parts of the town remains limited. Police have set up checkpoints, allowing only residents with a Lake Lure address on their driver’s license to pass. Officials are asking visitors to stay away to avoid hindering rescue and recovery efforts, urging the public to let first responders do their work without unnecessary traffic. Rutherford County Commission Chairman Bryan King lifted the countywide curfew on Monday, which had previously been in effect from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. While this is a positive sign of progress, King emphasized that many roads and utilities are still unsafe, and residents should remain cautious.

Town officials have warned residents to stay off the lake, which has been deemed unsafe due to large amounts of debris, propane, and gasoline floating in the water. Firefighters, town staff, and state and federal agencies have been working around the clock to perform search and rescue operations, going door-to-door in the most affected areas. In some cases, rescues have been carried out on foot or by helicopter, as some roads remain impassable to vehicles.

Crews are making steady progress in clearing town-owned roads, with at least one lane passable in most areas. Still, officials advise residents to leave town if possible, especially since power outages continue to affect large portions of the area. The town is working to establish a local relief site where food will be served three times a day, and trailers with showers and charging stations will be available. Additionally, tool trailers and workers will be on hand to assist with home repairs and street clearing. Town officials hoped to have the relief site fully operational by Tuesday and more updates will be provided as recovery progresses.

Water and Sewer System Under Repair

Residents are still under a boil water advisory, and a no-flush order remains in place for those connected to the town’s sewer system. Town staff are working to repair two wells that remain inoperable, and water quality tests are expected to be conducted soon. The Lake Lure Dam, a major concern during the storm, remains stable, officials said. While recovery efforts are still underway, the community’s resilience is evident.

Judy Jay said she feels confident that Rumbling Bald will bounce back, just as it has in the past.

“Everyone here is pitching in,” she said. “We’ve been through a lot over the years, and we’ll get through this, too. “We’re just grateful to be safe and back home,” Judy said. “That’s what matters most.”