Important Updates from Mayor Carol Pritchett – Progress Continues

Debris Removal

I wanted to take this opportunity to provide an update on the status of the Lake. We have been reporting in Town Council Meetings and in our Storm Recovery Updates that the work to remove debris from Lake Lure is ongoing. 

  • The amount of debris that Hurricane Helene deposited in Lake Lure is unprecedented.

  • The Town of Lake Lure is working with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to remove this debris.    

  • The USACE currently has a contract with AshBritt Environmental to remove the debris from the surface of the Lake Lure, as well as the roadways. 

  • This work is scheduled to be ongoing until April 2025. 

  • The next step in this effort is to remove the subsurface lake debris, silt, and sedimentation.

  • The USACE recently surveyed Lake Lure and created a 3D map of the subsurface, which will aid in the work ahead.

  • This information will assist the USACE in developing the next scope of work for subsurface debris, silt, and sedimentation removal.

Town Council and Town leadership are keenly aware of the importance of reopening the Lake as soon as it is safe to do so.  Given the timing of the work that has been completed thus far and the need for ongoing work moving forward, it is extremely unlikely that the Lake will be able to open for the 2025 summer season. For those of you who have been following our storm recovery process closely, this news may not be a surprise to you.  Please note that Town Council and Town leadership will continue to evaluate options for opening the Lake, or portions of the Lake, and we will continue to keep you informed with any updates as new information becomes available.

While the Lake remains closed, beauty still surrounds us in Lake Lure.  There are a number of attractions and activities available in the area in addition to the recreational options.  Most hotels, lodges, bed & breakfasts, and restaurants are opened for business and offering full amenities at this time.  Our local businesses in the area are very much appreciated as we work towards fully restoring Lake Lure and they value tourism in the area. This is a listing of some of the attractions that are currently available.

We are diligently working to open additional amenities such as Morse Park and other Town trails, and we are encouraging state partners to open Chimney Rock State Park as soon as possible. Please save the date for these upcoming events and visit Lake Lure anytime. 

Hurricane Helene Volunteer Recognition

 

It would be impossible to thank all those who have pitched in and helped the Town of Lake Lure following Hurricane Helene, but I would like to take this opportunity to publically recognize several groups who have volunteered to assist Lake Lure following Hurricane Helene.

 

I.   Public Safety:

  • Volunteer Firefighters: Most Firefighters shy away from any public recognition, but I must begin by thanking all of the Volunteer Firefighters.  Thank you to the Volunteer Firefighters from Lake Lure, Bills Creek, Chimney Rock, Fairfield Mountains, Forest City, Green Hill, Rutherfordton, and Sunny View.  We cannot ever thank you enough for your support and dedication following Hurricane Helene.

  • North Carolina State Parks: State Park staff volunteered their time to support the Town’s safety during and following the storm.

II.   Food, Resources, and Aid:

  • Local Churches: We appreciate the support of all the local churches including the staff and members of Cane Creek Baptist Church, Chimney Rock Baptist Church, Fairfield Mountains Chapel, Lake Lure Baptist Church, and the Temple of Jesus.

  • Additionally, the Baptists on Mission, Christian Aid Ministries, and Outreach Ministries of Seymore worked tirelessly to support the community, providing meals and assistance to countless individuals.

  • Local organizations: In addition to the churches, our community received unwavering support from local organizations. We cannot thank everyone enough for their tireless efforts.

    • Bill’s Creek Community Center (BCCC): In addition to support of efforts at Bill’s Creek Volunteer Fire Department, BCCC has established a Medical Equipment Loan Closet for the community. 

    • Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach: Outreach is non-profit organization serving families in the Hickory Nut Gorge community, which extends into four surrounding counties. Their mission is to help eliminate hunger and provide emergency services.  Since Hurricane Helene, Outreach has assisted an average of 278 individuals per month.

    • Ingles: Our local Ingles provided shelter and their parking lot to support meal distribution, showers, restrooms, internet services, and donation distribution following the storm.  They have been strong community partners and their support has been greatly appreciated.

    • Lake Lure Lions Club: The Lake Lure Lions Club provided aid to numerous families through their Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts.  They provided support for housing, appliances, supplies, and eyeglasses. They also provided support to Lake Lure Classical Academy for repair of their buses. The Lions always step up when there is a community need.

    • Lured Market: Following the storm, Lured Market worked with other volunteer organizations to prepared and serve countless meals for the community and for workers.  This outreach was a tremendous support to the community.

    • Ridgeline Heating and Air: Thank you to Ridgeline Heating and Air and the countless volunteer support, providing fuel, chainsaws, meals, water, blanks and clothing to all who were in need in the Bill’s Creek area and beyond.

III.  Debris Removal and Restoration:

  • Baptist on Mission: Over 300 Baptists on Mission volunteered their time in Lake Lure assisting with mud outs, tree clearing, and disaster relief.  Those who benefited from the efforts of these volunteers are forever grateful and so is the Town of Lake Lure.

  • Camp Lurecrest: Camp Lurecrest has been a place of joy and belonging for countless campers for over 75 years.  This past year they supported several volunteer groups with lodging while they came into Town to assist with debris cleanup. Staff also volunteered their time and talents to assist with clean up and debris removal in the surrounding area.

  • Carolina Climbers Coalition: A non-profit organization with the purposes of preserving the natural environment and safe climbing areas in NC and SC volunteered approximately 2,000 hours dedicated to relief and restoration following the hurricane. This includes extensive work in Hickory Nut Gorge and beyond, addressing storm damage to trails and climbing areas. Their trail stewards have remove hundreds of fallen trees, rebuild impassable trails, and restore access to areas.  In addition to trail work, the CCC supported first responders and recovery efforts by providing supplies and support to the Lake Lure first responders. 

  • Conserving Carolina and AmeriCorps: Conserving Carolina’s mission is to protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of the natural world. They have been busy doing just that since Hurricane Helene hit our area. Their team has cleared over 400 trees, repaired damaged tread caused by fallen trees, and rerouting trails around landslides.  They are working in partnership with Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, CCC, Chimney Rock State Park, and the Town of Lake Lure to create new trails that will connect into the damaged trail network at Buffalo Creek Park to restore access lost by the damaging landslides. 

  • Lake Lure Flowering Bridge Volunteers: The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge Volunteers have been working diligently as well with support from Spokes of Hope and others to beautify the remaining grounds near the Bridge.  They have cleaned and removed a countless amount of debris.  They have mulched and planted pretty pansies in areas on either side of the Bridge. Unfortunately, the Flowering Bridge sustained significant damage from the hurricane and it is closed, but the volunteers have done a Yeoman’s job beautifying what they could and it has made a positive impact on this area of Town.

  • Rutherford Outdoor Coalition: Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, is a non-profit organization founded to promote and expand outdoor recreation in Rutherford County, NC. The group began as a way to bring together those who love to hike, paddle, run, and bike and provide them with access and outings to enjoy this beautiful area. They have been working with the Town of Lake Lure to restore trails throughout the area.  Their support has been invaluable.

  • Spokes of Hope Partnered with CityServe to provide Christmas presents for the LLCA students and those residing at the apartments, in addition to the tremendous work they have done to support Chimney Rock Village.

The Town also received support from the Red Cross, RHI Legacy, the Salvation Army, and United Way.  In addition to these organizations, countless individuals have volunteered their time helping the Town with debris removal from our trails, collecting water samples, and helping neighbors with debris removal and other tasks.  We simply would not be as far along as we are in the recovery process without all of these remarkable volunteers.   We thank each of them from the bottoms of our hearts.  Together, we will restore the Town of Lake Lure!

Please visit www.townoflakelure.com for regular updates. For questions or suggestions, please reach out to Communications@townoflakelure.com

 

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