Helene Recovery Updates - SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 - County Briefing

Recap of Helene Recovery Updates - September 3, 2025

The September 3, 2025 County Briefing served as a final community update on the recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, which impacted Asheville 341 days prior. The meeting, attended by Mayor Esther Manheimer (via pre-recorded message), City Manager Deborah Campbell, and Clay Chandler from the Water Resources Department, highlighted substantial progress made in restoring services and rebuilding infrastructure while emphasizing a commitment to long-term resilience. The tone throughout was one of gratitude, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of city staff, county partners, state agencies, federal support and most importantly, Asheville’s residents.

A major focus of the meeting was the restoration of Asheville's water system, which has now returned to pre-storm levels. Clay Chandler detailed the key milestones achieved, including the repair of a destroyed 36-inch bypass line and replacement of thousands of feet of damaged water lines, restoring both non-potable and potable service. Looking ahead, the city is undertaking design phases for permanent treatment solutions at North Fork and De Bruel facilities, a geographically separate bypass line to enhance redundancy, repairs to the auxiliary spillway at North Fork, and dam repairs at De Bruel. Importantly, both dams have been inspected and deemed safe for their intended purpose.

Beyond the water system, Deborah Campbell provided a comprehensive overview of city-wide recovery efforts. Nearly one million cubic yards of storm debris have been removed, over 27,000 tons of rock placed to stabilize roadways, and a Temporary Activation Program launched to support community-led recovery initiatives. The city has also completed damage assessments for FEMA Public Assistance programs ahead of schedule and established a FAST team to assist property owners navigating rebuilding processes. Significant progress has also been made in reopening parks and greenways, with 90% now accessible to the public. The insights from a week-long panel of national experts convened by the Urban Land Institute will be published on AshevilleRecovers.org later this fall.

Financially, the city has allocated $3.8 million to support rental assistance, home repair assistance, small business grants, and artist grants. Anticipated receipt of $225 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG DR) funds will further bolster recovery efforts, with substantial portions dedicated to resilient infrastructure ($125 million), economic recovery ($52 million), and housing ($31 million). Several key projects, including French Broad Riverfront Parks, Azalea Parks and Infrastructure, and the Municipal Golf Course are moving forward with design firm selection.

Finally, the city partnered with Persis Consulting to conduct a comprehensive after-action review, findings of which will be presented to City Council on September 9th. A community recognition breakfast is planned for September 27th, sponsored by the city and a local nonprofit. Residents can stay informed about ongoing recovery efforts through the AshevilleRecovers.org website.