Above the Flood: Rebuilding Chimney Rock

The road into Chimney Rock, a charming village nestled in the mountains of North Carolina known for breathtaking natural scenery and proximity to the iconic Chimney Rock State Park, was blocked by devastation. When a team of student journalists approached the entrance, a man guarding the road said nobody could enter without Mayor Peter O’Leary’s permission. We called O’Leary’s cellphone, and without hesitation, he invited us to his home perched high on the ridge. From his driveway, we glimpsed at the disaster below. Houses sat abandoned, their foundations eroded by unprecedented floods, and storefronts stood dark, shattered windows a stark reminder of a once-vibrant community.

“We’re in the middle of a multi-year recovery,” O’Leary said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of responsibility. Hurricane Helene had unleashed 25 inches of rain in mere hours, triggering landslides and sending a wall of water nearly two stories high through the heart of the village. It obliterated everything in its path, leaving catastrophic destruction and changing the face of Chimney Rock forever. “Even the next morning, people were waking up thinking it was a bad dream,” he reflected somberly.

Before the storm, Chimney Rock relied heavily on tourism, with many homes serving as seasonal or second homes. Now, of the 46 businesses that once filled the town with life, 15 are gone, and unlikely to return. Road closures and damaged infrastructure keep tourists away, compounding economic woes. “If we can get open this summer, most of us might be able to make it,” O’Leary said, his eyes reflecting cautious optimism. “But if we don’t, it’s going to be very difficult.”

Yet, amidst the devastation, Mayor O’Leary finds hope in the kindness of strangers. More than 2,000 volunteers, organized by Spokes of Hope, have tirelessly removed debris, repaired homes, and offered essential support. Among these heroes are the Amish volunteers, whose young people, an elder explained, were brought there for adventure and community bonding. Their quiet dedication deeply moved the community. “They called Spokes of Hope and said, ‘We’ve been watching you, and you’re doing good work. We want to help you,’” O’Leary shared, his voice tinged with gratitude. “Every week, they send 50 or 60 people, carpenters who just get it done.”

Perhaps the greatest loss, according to O’Leary, transcends buildings and roads; it is the loss of Chimney Rock’s identity. “The old Chimney Rock is gone,” he admitted, “What brought us here and what we loved about the village, it’s been changed forever.”

Peter O’Leary’s resolve remains unbroken. He envisions a brighter, more resilient future for Chimney Rock. Plans to extend water and sewer lines, redesign bridges, and rebuild smarter and stronger are already in motion. The area, just a skip and a hop away from Lake Lure of “Dirty Dancing” fame, is defined by its dramatic cliffs, verdant forests, and scenic vistas. Despite the current scars, the landscape retains its breathtaking beauty, signaling a potential rebirth. “We’re going to rebuild something better,” O’Leary declared confidently. “This is going to be a renaissance, it’s just going to take time.”

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This story is part of a semester-long investigative reporting project into the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. It was created by an advanced reporting class in the Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies program at UW-Milwaukee. Other stories from the project are available here.

This work was made possible through the support of MPC Endowment Ltd., the philanthropic affiliate of the Milwaukee Press Club.