Chimney Rock Village devastated by flooding from Hurricane Helene: Over 100 rescued, recovery efforts continue
Governor Roy Cooper visited the area earlier this month; communication remains limited as rescue operations continue.
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Flooding from Hurricane Helene has left Chimney Rock Village in ruins, with homes and businesses washed away in the rising waters. Just weeks before the storm hit, Governor Roy Cooper visited the area ahead of the Labor Day weekend to promote local tourism. Now, the region faces an unprecedented recovery effort as emergency responders race against time to rescue stranded residents.
Rutherford County Emergency Management reported at 6:30 pm today that over 100 people have been rescued from the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock area. "A huge thank you to all emergency personnel... EMS, law enforcement, fire departments, the National Guard, and those assisting from other counties and states," the agency stated, emphasizing that rescue efforts will continue through the night.
The rescued residents are being transported by local Transit services to RS Central High School, now serving as a shelter in Rutherfordton. However, communication remains a major obstacle, with limited cell service hampering efforts to assess the full extent of the damage or determine if there have been any fatalities or injuries.
I'm reporting from my home in Green Hill, where we’re relying on Starlink for internet access and have just one gallon of gas left for our generator. Local authorities are urging residents to stay safe, as emergency teams push forward with recovery operations.
The community, once a hub for tourists, is now grappling with the destruction of its infrastructure. The road to recovery will be long, but the resilience of local residents and the tireless work of emergency personnel offer hope amid the devastation. I will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
Cops & Congress Commentary: Can We Trust Lake Lure’s Reassurances About the Dam’s Stability?
If they can't even get the year right, how can we trust their claim that the dam is "stable?"
Lake Lure officials issued a statement updating residents on the state of emergency in the area following the devastation from Hurricane Helene. While the update covers critical issues like cell service, road closures, and cleanup efforts, it contains one glaring error: the date is listed as September 28, 2025. It's 2024. This simple mistake might seem trivial, but in times of crisis, even small oversights cast doubt on the accuracy and reliability of the information being shared.
The most critical part of this update involves the stability of the Lake Lure Dam. The town reassures residents that “the dam remains stable” following an assessment by Schnabel Engineers, and that FEMA is on its way to evaluate the situation further. But how confident should residents be in this assessment, given the apparent sloppiness of the statement itself?
A misstatement of the year is more than just a typo—it shows a lack of attention to detail at a moment when precision is vital. Residents are dealing with extreme stress, limited communication, and serious safety concerns, including compromised roads and an unstable water and sewer system. The dam's stability isn't just a talking point; it’s a potential life-or-death issue. If the town can’t even get the date right, how are we supposed to believe their more serious claim that the dam is, in fact, stable?
Local governments and emergency managers have an obligation to communicate clearly, accurately, and in a way that fosters trust. Right now, trust is in short supply. Yes, engineers may have assessed the dam, but the public needs to see more transparency. Explain the history of issues with the dam. They’ve known about them for YEARS. Are there specific weaknesses they’re monitoring now? What’s the contingency plan if the dam does fail? These questions matter, especially when residents are already dealing with damaged infrastructure and evacuation routes that are barely passable.
This situation calls for urgent, clear, and reliable communication from Lake Lure’s leadership. The stakes are too high to be glossing over details, whether it’s a date error or vague statements about the dam’s stability. Moving forward, local officials need to double down on accuracy and transparency, because right now, the public has every reason to question their reassurances.
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