When the remnants of Hurricane Helene swept across western North Carolina in late September 2024, Asheville and its neighboring towns were left reeling. Torrential rain pushed both the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers to historic levels, cresting above their previous records from the catastrophic 1916 flood. In just three days, more than 14 inches of rain fell in Asheville—an amount surpassing the threshold for a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event. This deluge inundated entire neighborhoods, submerged businesses in Biltmore Village and the River Arts District, and left lasting scars on the city’s landscape.
Along with the flooding, Helene delivered damaging winds that compounded the destruction. Gusts between 40 and 60 miles per hour swept through the valleys, while exposed mountain ridgelines endured gusts of 80 to 100 miles per hour. These conditions toppled thousands of trees, knocked out power across Buncombe County, and left communities cut off when dozens of bridges were swept away or rendered impassable. NCDOT later confirmed that 44 bridges across Division 13, which includes Asheville, were washed out, with permanent repairs expected to take years.
The human toll was equally devastating. Buncombe County alone recorded more than 40 storm-related deaths, and across the state more than 100 lives were lost. Thousands of residents were displaced, while small businesses, already struggling to recover from pandemic-era challenges, faced catastrophic losses. For many, the storm marked not only a natural disaster but also the beginning of a long and uncertain recovery.
In the days that followed, community organizations became a lifeline. BeLoved Asheville, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to meeting the needs of the city’s most vulnerable residents, mobilized immediately. Volunteers distributed food, clean water, hygiene supplies, and medical care to flood survivors. They set up pop-up relief stations in neighborhoods cut off by high water and worked to connect displaced families with temporary shelter. As traditional aid systems strained under the scope of the disaster, BeLoved Asheville’s direct, community-based approach filled critical gaps.
Supporting that work, the Twin City Track Club of Winston-Salem has stepped forward with a $5,000 donation to BeLoved Asheville. The contribution was raised during TCTC’s annual Winter Seminar, which was made possible through sponsorships by lululemon and ZOA Energy Drinks. This year featured renowned ultrarunner and lululemon global ambassador Mirna Valerio as the keynote guest. Proceeds from the event were directed toward Helene recovery efforts, ensuring that BeLoved Asheville has the resources to provide meals, medical supplies, and household necessities to families struggling to rebuild their lives. For storm survivors in Asheville and surrounding towns, such support ensures that recovery is not only about repairing roads and bridges, but also about restoring hope and dignity to the people who call these mountains home.