Latest news with #TropicalStormHelene
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Popular waterfall in Pisgah National Forest reopens: What to know before you go
The United States Forest Service is reopening the Elk River Falls Area within the Pisgah National Forest on July 11 after several months spent clearing Tropical Storm Helene debris, according to an announcement from the agency. Home to a 65-foot waterfall known locally as Big Falls, the area in Avery County experienced significant flooding during the storm that left the river clogged with debris and the trails blocked by downed trees, the Forest Service said. Visitors are advised to exercise caution near the waterfall area. 'Elk River Falls is a popular summer destination, and our community neighbors have been patient while we worked to restore access to the trails and clear the river so we could safely reopen,' District Ranger Jen Barnhart said in the release. More than 30 volunteers from Wild South, Waterfall Keepers of North Carolina and the Linville-Central Rescue Squad helped Forest Service crews remove trash and debris, including a 250-pound propane tank left after floodwaters receded. To ensure public safety, the Forest Service monitored the falls for any new hazards and loose debris that could pose a risk. The parking area and entry road leading to Elk River Falls have been repaired and resurfaced for better access, according to the release. 'The reopening of Elk River Falls is not only a win for public access, but also a symbol of the resilience of the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. It's a powerful reminder of what's possible when communities come together to care for one another and our shared public lands,' Halley Burleson, Operations Coordinator for Wild South, said in the release. Elk River Falls is particularly dangerous after a heavy rain, when strong currents create turbine conditions in the pool below the falls, which is more than 70 feet deep in places, according to forest rangers. Even before Helene, however, Elk River Falls has been called one of the deadliest waterfalls in Western North Carolina by emergency services officials, with more than 20 over the past couple of decades. Deaths and serious injuries including paralysis have occurred due to people jumping off the top of the falls and drowning or hitting their heads on slippery rocks, and even drowning while swimming in the pool below the falls and becoming entangled in fishing line, according to past Citizen Times reporting. In May 2022, a 53-year-old man from Kingsport, Tennessee, drowned while swimming in the Elk River Falls pool. Witnesses on scene said that Williams "waded out into the water and started to swim. He was seen by a witness go under the water and not resurface," according to an Avery County Sheriff's Office news statement. 'He did not jump. He was just swimming in the pool there at the bottom,' former Avery County Sheriff Danny Phillips said at the time. Elk River Falls is particularly dangerous after a heavy rain, when strong currents create turbine conditions in the pool below the falls, which is more than 70 feet deep in places, according to forest rangers. Swimming near, climbing or jumping from waterfalls is incredibly dangerous and can even be fatal, the Forest Service warned. Rangers instructed visitors to follow all posted signage, stay out of the water and not climb rocks around the waterfall. Entering the water immediately above or below Elk River Falls can be extremely dangerous because of an incredibly strong undercurrent and the height of the waterfall, the release said. In the latest waterfall-related death in WNC, a man died July 6 while rappelling at Steele Creek Falls in the Burke County area of Pisgah National Forest. More: Man drowns after rappelling accident in Pisgah National Forest: officials urge caution More: Man dies at Elk River Falls in Pisgah National Forest, second death here in 6 weeks WNC's waterfalls are beautiful, but dangerous without proper care taken to stay safe. Follow these guidelines when visiting a waterfall: Observe all posted signs leading to waterfall areas. Do not swim or wade upstream near a waterfall. Watch for slick rocks around waterfalls. Do not jump off waterfalls or dive into pools. Do not climb on rocks above waist height. Watch your children and pets at all times. Stay on marked trails and observation areas. More: Waterfalls Park in Newland protected from development by Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy More: Best waterfalls in Western NC: See the tallest, falls with short hikes, swimming holes Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@ and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Popular waterfall in Pisgah National Forest reopens: See where
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tropical Storm Helene survivor needs will continue to be met as federal resources shift
As local supports and resources in the Helene recovery transition between Federal and State agencies, FEMA representatives will no longer be on site at the Buncombe County Helene Resource Center as of July 1. Survivors are encouraged to call the FEMA hotline at 1-800-621-3362 or through the FEMA app for any questions regarding status of their benefits. State partners, who will remain on site, are working to ensure a seamless transition for case management needs of Tropical Storm Helene survivors. Ongoing coordination with the State and Buncombe County government will help ensure that survivor needs are met, even as federal resources shift. More: Tropical Storm Helene damaged more than 12K homes in Buncombe County, FEMA data shows Buncombe County remains committed to supporting all affected residents, and further updates will be shared as available. The community is encouraged to continue visiting the Helene Resource Center for additional support at 94 Coxe Ave. in downtown Asheville. The HRC is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and there is free parking in the front lot. For any questions, the public is encouraged to contact the One Buncombe Call Center at (828) 250-6100. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Helene support and resources transition from federal to state agencies
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
USDA extends deadline for Helene-damaged farms in Western NC to apply for funds
ASHEVILLE - The United States Department of Agriculture extended two critical cost-share programs to help Western North Carolina farmers recover from Tropical Storm Helene, the agency announced June 13. After Helene swept through the state, bringing historic flooding that battered farms in low-lying river valleys, Henderson County's agriculture community alone lost between $135 to $150 million, Cooperative Extension Director Terry Kelley estimated in January. A recent report from the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, an Asheville-based nonprofit, showed 86% of 300 surveyed farmers experienced damage to their operations in WNC and 70% to their land or waterways. The average recovery cost, it said, was $40,000. Now, the USDA through its Farm Service Agency is extending the deadline to Aug. 4 for local growers and nonindustrial private forestland owners to apply for assistance through two programs: The Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program. Here are some details from the USDA on how to apply and who is eligible. The Emergency Conservation Program, administered by the Farm Service Agency, offers financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to repair and restore farmland impacted by natural disasters, including hurricanes. The program helps farmers and ranchers "rehabilitate damaged land, restore agricultural production, and prevent further environmental degradation," according to the agency's website. Approved practices include: debris removal from farmland grading, shaping and releveling permanent fence restoration restoration of conservation practices emergency soil erosion control measures dairy relocation field windbreaks and farmstead shelterbelt restoration Farmers who apply and are approved for the program can receive up to 75% of the cost of these restorations, according to a USDA news release. The maximum cost share is $500,000. Local growers can receive advanced payments up to 25% of the cost before the restoration is completed. These payments must be spent within 60 days, the release said. Helene's impact on local agriculture: Few relief options for Henderson County farmers — local growers face $135 million loss Any farmer or rancher who has suffered damage to their farmland due to a natural disaster is eligible for the program, according to USDA's website. Producers who lease federally owned or managed lands, including tribal trust land, are also eligible. The damage must "significantly impair the land's agricultural productivity or pose a threat to land or water resources," the website says. The program is for restoring farmland to pre-disaster conditions. Conservation concerns on the land that predate the natural disaster are not covered. Helene's impact on small WNC farms: 'Our farm wiped off map from Helene:' ASAP reports impact to small Western NC farmers To apply for the conservation program, producers must submit a request for assistance to their local Farm Service Agency office. The process includes a damage assessment, documentation of the disaster impact, and a description of the proposed conservation measures. To expedite approval, FSA has waived the need for on-site inspection for all non-engineering work. Find the closest Farm Service Agency office in WNC at The Emergency Forest Restoration Program helps non-industrial private forest owners restore forest health damaged by natural disasters, according to USDA's website. To qualify, the private forest must have tree coverage that existed before the natural disaster. Helene damage must harm the natural resources on the land and significantly affect future land use if not remedied. Unlike the conservation program for farmers, payments are not provided upfront. Up to 75% of the cost to implement emergency conservation practices can be provided, however the final amount is determined by the committee reviewing the application, according to the website. The maximum cost share is $500,000 per person for a single natural disaster. The land must be owned or leased by a nonindustrial private person or entity to qualify. Approved disaster recovery includes: debris removal, such as down or damaged trees, to establish a new stand or provide for natural regeneration site preparation, planting materials and labor to replant forest stand restoration of forestland roads, fire lanes, fuel breaks or erosion control structures fencing, tree shelters and tree tubes to protect trees from wildlife damage wildlife enhancement to provide cover openings and wildlife habitat To expedite the process, the USDA has waived the requirement for owners to get approval before conducting debris removal, fence repair and hazard tree removal. To participate in the program, the restorations must meet USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service or state forest agency standards. Forestland owners must also keep records of all restoration costs, including personal labor. Owners should check with their local FSA office to find out about program sign-up periods. More: 190,000 acres of Forest Service land impacted by Helene: What's the plan for downed trees? More: Federal spending cuts kill "massive" plan to plant 10,000 trees in Hendersonville Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@ and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: USDA extends deadline for Helene-damaged farms in Western NC
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC Gov. Stein signs bill into law sending another $500 million to WNC for Helene relief
State lawmakers in the North Carolina General Assembly passed another disaster relief bill June 26 to aid recovery in Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene. The September 2024 storm killed more than 100 people and caused an estimated $60 billion in damage. Since Helene hit, state lawmakers have approved nearly $2 billion in spending for the recovery effort. Gov. Josh Stein signed the bill into law at a press event at Chimney Rock State Park in Lake Lure. The popular park reopened June 27, exactly nine months after Helene pummeled Western North Carolina. There, Stein urged people to plan a trip to Western North Carolina, announcing a new tourism initiative with the hopes of attracting more visitors to a region dependent on tourism. 'Nine months ago, (Tropical Storm) Helene devastated western North Carolina's economy," Stein said in a June 27 statement. "Let's make sure our neighbors know we haven't forgotten them." This latest bill moves $700 million to the state's Helene relief fund, of which $500 million will be used to fund road and bridge repairs, help farmers and local governments recoup losses in the wake of Helene, and help pay for other disaster-related needs. A House version of the bill had previously asked for $60 million for small business grants, but the provision didn't make it into the bill's final version. In Asheville, several restaurants and other small businesses have closed after Helene severely disrupted the region's tourism industry. The bill also provides funding to private colleges and universities, like Montreat College and Lees-McRae College, with each receiving $1.5 million. But lawmakers excluded Warren Wilson College, which suffered $12 million in Helene-related losses, according to the college. 'We look forward to having an opportunity to work with legislators to help them understand the extent and gravity of the damages to the College,' Warren Wilson College President Damián J. Fernández said in a June 27 statement. 'We sincerely request that they reconsider providing support to Warren Wilson when the legislative session reconvenes.' Key funding measures include: $75 million for private road and bridge repair $25 million for farm infrastructure loss $15 million for N.C. Forest Service wildfire preparation and equipment $15 million for streamflow rehabilitation $5 million to Visit NC for tourism marketing $10 million to repair, modify or remove Helene-damaged dams $3 million for landslide hazard mapping $8 million for public school infrastructure and building repair $70 million in matching funds for Federal Emergency Management Agency programs $20 million for Helene flood mitigation grants $18 million for nonprofits working on Helene recovery $70 million for local government capital program grants $18 million for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads $2 million each to Western Carolina University and Appalachian State University $2 million UNC Asheville and the North Carolina Arboretum More: NC House lawmakers pass $464M in Helene aid, well short of governor's request More: Stein signs disaster bill that will send more than $500 million to WNC for Helene recovery More: Gov. Stein vetoes bills seeking to expand state, local cooperation with ICE: What's next? Jacob Biba is the Helene recovery reporter at the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jbiba@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC Gov. Josh Stein sends $500 million to WNC for Helene relief with bill
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Food banks seek state assistance
HIGH POINT — Food banks in North Carolina, including the one that serves the High Point area, are seeking extra funding from the N.C. General Assembly for the coming fiscal year to cope with greater demand for services and the loss of federal dollars. The food banks want to maintain the $6.1 million that was provided in the current state budget and receive an additional $3 million related to outreach from the impact of Tropical Storm Helene. The state House and Senate are negotiating over a final state budget after different plans were passed by each chamber. 'In light of the current environment and historic numbers of individuals seeking assistance, the food banks requested additional funds for the upcoming year,' Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest N.C. said in a statement to The High Point Enterprise. The state's food banks say that they face pressures of greater demand from people in need and a possible increase in requests for assistance if food stamp benefits are cut in the new federal budget being worked out by Congress, as the House has proposed. The food banks also lost some federal funding when the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in March that it was cutting $11 million that food banks in North Carolina had expected to receive through the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. The money was used by food banks to purchase food from local farmers. Second Harvest lost $2 million. The General Assembly has a history of supporting state food banks. The six Feeding America-affiliated food banks in North Carolina — along with Feeding the Carolinas, their state association that serves both Carolinas — have received grants from the state of North Carolina for the past 30 years, according to Second Harvest. Second Harvest serves a network of 500 food assistance programs in an 18-county region, including 17 agencies serving the High Point and Jamestown areas. The food bank's local partners involve 19 food pantries, four shelters and three soup kitchens. On average, local partners rely on Second Harvest for 80% of the food they provide to people in need, the food bank reports. For the new fiscal year starting July 1, Second Harvest is projecting its network will distribute nearly 40 million meals.
