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Lake Lure, NC — A Kentucky truck driver helping to haul debris out of Lake Lure was issued a $4,100 overweight ticket last week, sparking frustration among those involved in the massive recovery operation. The driver, Lonnie Middleton, posted a TikTok video expressing concern about what he called an “unfair” enforcement approach.
“We down here at Lake Lure trying to help North Carolina with this storm clean up,” Middleton says in the video, recorded in front of Lured Market & Grill, near Morse Park. “(Police) DOT just out here having a field day with us… We ain’t got no scales…entrapment all the way.”
Middleton’s post quickly gained traction online, prompting discussion about how local and state authorities are coordinating enforcement during the storm recovery effort.
In an email response to Cops & Congress, Police Chief Sean Humphries clarified that no targeted patrols are underway and that the officer in the video was assisting a Highway Patrol trooper on a routine stop.
“Complaints have not been made about certain drivers but trucks in general,” Humphries said. “We have received numerous complaints of trucks driving at excessive speeds and violating the left of center traffic law. Saturation patrols are not currently underway. The video depicts our officer assisting a Highway Patrolman on a vehicle stop. This is just a function of the officers daily patrol duties.”
However, meeting minutes from an official town staff briefing held April 21 explained saturation patrols were in effect for a period of time. It is unclear how long it lasted or if it will resume.
“Saturation control went well. Between 13 to 16 tickets (warnings) were issued. Thanks to Courtney (sic) Burrell for putting it all together,” reads the entry.
Officer Kortney Burrell, who was reportedly injured during Hurricane Helene, was credited in the town’s internal notes with organizing the enforcement effort.
Recovery in Full Swing
Middleton’s concerns come amid a full-scale recovery effort in Lake Lure following the devastation from Hurricane Helene. In a tourism video released on May 15, Mayor Pro Tem David DiOrio estimated it would take over 80,000 dump trucks to remove all the remaining debris from the lakebed.
Mayor Carol Pritchett also addressed the situation, encouraging visitors to continue coming to Lake Lure while acknowledging delays.
“All roads are open,” Pritchett said on May 18, “but traffic may be slower temporarily.”
Nearly 100 dump trucks are currently operating in and out of the lake area every day, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District, which is coordinating efforts alongside contractors like AshBritt Environmental. The trucks are working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, hauling storm debris to a temporary storage site known as the Lake Lure Green Space. The police department has temporarily relocated to the Parks and Recreation building following flooding at Town Hall from the hurricane.
As of May 17, crews had removed:
6 million cubic yards of hurricane debris across Western NC — enough to fill 800,000 school buses
Over 186,000 tons of silt and sediment
39,275 cubic yards of debris from waterways
43,567 cubic yards of debris from roadways
FEMA is funding all of the debris removal processes in and around the lake, the town said in an update, and repairs. It includes projects for the dam, hydro-electric plant, wastewater treatment plant, wastewater collection system, road and bridge repairs, pathways and sidewalks, town hall and the police station, the beach, parks and trails, and town vehicles.
FEMA has obligated six projects estimated at $3.3 million, according to the update. Lake Lure has received $1.7 million. “We have several more projects that should be obligated soon,” the update said.
A Call for Cooperation
Town officials have thanked residents for their patience, recognizing heavy truck traffic's strain on local roads and infrastructure.
“Roadways: The Town of Lake Lure is grateful for the support of the community as so many trucks are up and down the roadways hauling off silt and debris. This phase of the recovery remains challenging, but the restoration that is being done is nothing short of amazing. Once the debris is finally cleared, the roadways will be assessed and the Town will work to restore roadways that have been impacted by the traffic from heavy trucks. Public Works crews are working on town roads and mudslides every week.”
Once the hauling phase is complete, the town plans to assess and repair road damage as needed.
“Recovery is tough,” a recent town statement read, “but resilience is stronger.”
Lake Lure remains open and welcoming to visitors, with local leaders emphasizing the town's recovery as a testament to its strength and community spirit. As trucks continue their critical work clearing debris and restoring waterways, some in the community are calling for clarity and flexibility in enforcement, especially during an emergency response of this scale.
Opinion & Analysis: Cops & Congress commentary
Lake Lure Is Open—Let the Trucks Roll
Lake Lure is open, and recovery is in full swing. With dump trucks working daily to clear storm debris after Hurricane Helene, town officials are urging patience and support as crews do the heavy lifting to restore the lake and surrounding roads.
A recent $4,100 overweight ticket issued to one driver has raised questions about how best to balance safety with the urgency of recovery. While law enforcement has every right to ensure road safety, I feel it’s also important to recognize the extraordinary work being done by truckers under federal and local direction.
Mayor Pritchett and Mayor Pro Tem DiOrio have both emphasized that visitors are welcome and that traffic may be slower due to active cleanup, underscoring the need for teamwork and flexibility.
Let’s keep our focus on what matters: helping Lake Lure rebuild stronger, safer, and ready for summer. The town is open, and the trucks need to roll.
Storm recovery is tough work. But Lake Lure’s spirit is tougher. Let’s support the crews on the ground, keep the roads safe, and remember—we’re all on the same team.
For ongoing updates on public safety, recovery progress, and the role of government in Western North Carolina, subscribe and share this article.
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