Lake Lure Storm Recovery Updates 12/16/24

Please take a moment to review the Lake Lure Storm Recovery updates and information for Monday, 12/16/24.   

• NC DOT updates on Highway 64: A temporary road is expected to be open between Chimney Rock and Hendersonville is by January 31, 2025. https://drivenc.gov/?type=incident&id=715074

• Town Center Water Updates: Unfortunately there was a main line water break in downtown Lake Lure on 12/14/24.  The Town water system had to be shut down while repairs are being made.

  • The water was restored on 12/15/24 for many customers and a Boil Advisory was issued until the water quality test is received back. 

    • This applies to properties from Memorial Highway Bridge to Town limits on Highway 9. 

    • The Boil Advisory issued 12/15/24 remains in effect until the water quality test is received back. 

  • Repairs are ongoing for the remaining customers in Town Center.  Work has been completed on 12/16/24, but the concrete must cure overnight before the water can be restored.

  • A Boil Advisory will be in place for anyone whose water is restored 12/17/24.   

  • We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate everyone's patience as this matter is resolved.

• Chimney Rock Village Event 12/14/24: Thank you for your patience with the heavy traffic in the area for the Chimney Rock Village event.  Estimates were that over 2,000 people visited on 12/14/24.  Special thanks to all the volunteers who worked to support Chimney Rock Village and to the first responders who worked above and beyond to ensure everyone's safety!

• Cell Tower: Plans for building the cell tower off Boys Camp Road (behind Town Hall and across the river) are ongoing.  The purpose for this location is that it provides the greatest reach for first responders across the Hickory Nut Gorge. The latest estimated target date is to begin construction in the spring of 2025.

• Town Hall and the Welcome Center: An assessment of Town Hall and the Welcome Center are ongoing. Plans for these buildings remains uncertain at this time and are dependent upon funding for restoration.

• Lake Level: The Lake is about 3 feet below full pond (986.5 - +/- a foot).  The lake is being maintained at the optimum level for debris and boat removal.  The current plan is to remain at this level.  Any significant changes in lake levels will be posted in these updates.   

• Debris Removal:  AshBritt Environmental continues to oversee debris removal with support from local contractors.  As of 12/16/24:

  • Over 18,059 cubic yards of debris have been removed from the lake.

  • Over 15,938 cubic yards of debris have been removed from the right of way.

  • Over 9,680 tons of sediment and silt have been removed from Town.

• Shoreline Debris Removal: Contractors are continuing to work to remove debris from the shoreline.  They will remove shoreline debris in the water and up to 5 feet above full pond.  Crews are making their way around the lake and may make additional passes to certain areas to get all of the debris.

• Lake Silt/Sedimentation Removal: The next phase of work through the USACE will be for silt and sedimentation removal from the lake. You may think of this as dredging, but the terminology used by USACE is silt/sedimentation removal.  We look forward to this stage of the recovery process and will post updates as new information becomes available.  

  • Water Quality Tests: The Town is continuing to test water quality in the Broad River and in the lake. The latest water quality tests are posted at the following link along with the history of the results. https://www.townoflakelure.com/community/page/lake-lure-water-sample-reports. The VOC tests came back negative in the last test.  The VOC water test measures the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water.   All areas are currently back within normal range except for turbidity, which is expected to improve as water flow continues to increase. Turbidity is the measurement of water clarity (i.e., transparency). Suspended particles such as silt can cause water to appear cloudy or murky. These particles scatter and absorb light rays rather than allowing light to be transmitted straight through the water. All water tests are posted on the Town’s website. 

  • Help Us Protect and Clean Our Lake: Attention all Lakefront Property Owners and Renters: Please do not put any debris, trash, or household items in the lake. Additionally, if you are washing boats near the shore, be sure no detergents or chemicals flow into the lake.

  • ONLY APPROVED CONTRACTORS MAY GO ON THE LAKE! For everyone’s safety, Lake Lure is closed except for approved contractors.  The timeline for Lake restoration is uncertain at this time.  The timeline for removing all of the debris, silt, and sedimentation is unknown.  Updates regarding Lake restoration and the timeline for reopening the Lake will be provided here as new information becomes available.    

  • Contractors: The Lake Lure Town Council has announced that the Lake is now open to approved contractors to navigate the waters to haul out or service motorized boats at their customers’ request. Additionally, approved service contractors may begin work on the lake as outlined below.

    Please note that lake debris removal continues at this time and their work is a priority. 

• While on Lake Lure during this continued State of Emergency, navigate the waters with respect for other contractors. 

• Debris contractors working with the US Army Corps of Engineers must take precedence and should be yielded to whenever possible. Please do not impede their progress.

• Stay clear of their boats and barges and do not block their path or interfere with their work in any way. 

• Failure to comply may result in discontinuation of lake privileges.

Debris Contractors as well as commercial service contractors in the Lake Lure Commercial Model are now authorized to access the lake using their commercially permitted boats.

• Commercial service contractors not currently approved in the commercial model may apply for a commercial service permit by contacting prladmin@townoflakelure.com to be considered.

• This will allow work on lake structures to resume from water; however, concrete work is excluded at this time due to a need for fluctuating lake levels for debris removal. (Please note that permits are still required)

• For assistance with boathouse clean up you may contact Communications@townoflakelure.com for resources.

Building contractors should submit a scope of work regarding lake use activities (with permits) to Community Development.  You may email kmartin@townoflakelure.com with any questions.

Approved commercial boat removal companies include:

• Barry Capps Marine

• Lake Lure Dock

• Lake Lure Marine

• Lake Response/TowBoatUS

• Master Dock

• Sea Tow

Sea Tow and Lake Response/TowBoatUS are able to remove boats from boat houses and transport them to the lake for removal. 239 motorized boats have been removed from the lake thus far.  Additionally, 93 non-motorized boats have been recovered with 24 non-motorized boats have been returned to their owners. If non-motorized boats have a prior permit, the owners are being contacted.  If you are looking for a non-motorized boat, you may contact the Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department at prladmin@townoflakelure.com for assistance locating your vessel.

Approved companies allowed to trailer out the boats are:

• Angler’s Choice
• Driftwood Marine
• Gotcha Covered Boat & Marine

     The ramps are off-limits to private individuals and unapproved companies.

•  Hard Trash/Debris Pick Up: Reminder that online requests have resumed for pickup for Hard Trash/Debris Pick Up within the Town of Lake Lure. Hard Trash Pickup will occur on Fridays.

  • The is the link for adding an online work order: https://townoflakelure.novokiosk.com/ 

  • For future reference: This link is on the home page of the Town’s website under “Fix It”:

  • Note: County-Wide Debris Cleanup will occur if you are outside Town limits as well.  The County advised they will make three passes.  They cannot provide a schedule at this time. The US Army Corps of Engineers is also assisting with debris pick up through a contract with AshBritt.  

• Sewer System: The lift station repairs below the dam are going well.  Everything is mechanically connected. We are running on portable pumps now.  The Waste Water Treatment Plants is operational and work is being done to fully restore the plant.

• West-end Sewer System: Materials are in and contractors are ready to proceed with the work on the West-end sewer system.  The Town is awaiting easements to begin the work.

• Utility Bills Resume: Please note that utility billing will resume in 2025.

• Reservoir Drain Project: The reservoir drain project at the dam is underway. The last concrete pours were completed behind the dam.  The drain will allow the town to lower the lake beyond 12 feet, if needed.   December 20 is the target date for testing and project completion.

• Parks Re-opened: The Dittmer-Watts Nature Trails and part of the Lake Lure Green Space (across the street from the Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department) are officially reopened to the public. All other parks are currently closed including Morse Park, the remaining portion of the Flowering Bridge, Buffalo Creek Park, and Weed Patch Mountain Trail. AshBritt Environment is in the process of removing the debris and silt from Morse Park. Once this work is complete, the Town will be working on the Morse Park Master Plan with a goal to return the park to its former beauty for recreational use and enjoyment.  The timeline for this work is uncertain due to the ongoing restoration efforts.  The Town is also working with Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, the Carolina Climbers Coalition, and AmeriCorps to restore Buffalo Creek Park and Weed Patch Mountain Trail. Unfortunately, these trails sustained significant damage as well.

• Boys Camp Road Permanent Bridge: The temporary bridge on Boys Camp Road is performing well but a permanent bridge is being designed.  A timeline for this project is uncertain at this time.

• FEMA Updates: FEMA provided the following updates today.  Please visit the following link to review the full documents if these topics are of interest. https://www.townoflakelure.com/community/page/fema-resources-and-information

  • DR-4827-NC Disaster Fact Sheet (DFS062) Dec 16 2024: Key Messages

    • A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center is open this week in Buncombe County to provide one-on-one help to North Carolinians affected by Tropical Storm Helene. The MDRC is available today and Tuesday at the Barnardsville Fire Department Station 15, 100 Dillingham Road, Barnardsville NC, Hours are 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday to Tuesday Dec. 16 and 17. Beginning Wednesday the MDRC will be located at the Fairview Public Library, 1 Taylor Road Fairview NC. Hours will be 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 to Friday, Dec. 20

    • The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is extended to Jan. 7, 2025 for people in 39 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. To date, $5.5 million in federal unemployment benefits have been provided to survivors. For more information call the unemployment assistance hotline at 919-629-3857 (for Spanish call 919-276-5698). The hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, and from noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

    • Ahead of the holidays, the best way to help Helene survivors in North Carolina is by donating to reputable nonprofit organizations who are working in the hardest-hit communities. The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is accepting donations that will help these organizations help the families who are most in need. To donate visit nc.gov/donate.

  • DR-4827-NC News Release (NR066) - TSA Participants Should Talk to Hotels About Holiday Availability: As the holidays approach, local hotels currently sheltering Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) participants may not have availability to continue to accommodate some TSA families due to existing Christmas and New Year’s reservations. As such, some TSA families might need to find alternative accommodation in other area with participating hotels and motels. FEMA and the state of North Carolina urges checked in TSA families to talk to the hotel front desk staff now regarding extending their reservation during peak holiday season. If unable to extend, FEMA may assist in finding new room in other participating TSA lodging facilities. You may also use the hotel locator Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA). A request to check out of your current hotel due to availability does not impact eligibility for TSA. TSA is intended to provide shelter while households identify other housing solutions or make repairs to their home. TSA is a temporary program intended to provide short-term lodging for eligible disaster survivors whose residence is uninhabitable or inaccessible because of the disaster. At the request of the state, FEMA provides TSA to eligible disaster survivors who register for assistance and have a continuing need for shelter. Through TSA, FEMA pays directly to participating hotels and motels to cover the cost of room, taxes, and non-refundable pet fees to provide short-term accommodations for eligible disaster survivors.

  • DR-4827-NC NR067 Farmers Ranch Hands May Be Eligible for FEMA Assistance: North Carolina farmers and ranch hands whose tools or equipment were damaged by Tropical Storm Helene may be eligible for disaster assistance. FEMA aid is available to replace disaster-damaged essential tools, supplies, equipment and items required for your job or self-employment. The deadline to apply is Jan. 7.

    • Coverage For Tools and Equipment
    • Family-owned farms typically have a variety of equipment needed to conduct business. These include tractors, plows, seeders or planters, harvesters, sprayers, hay balers and utility vehicles. These items are all potentially eligible for FEMA disaster assistance if you can show the following:
      • Items were damaged by the disaster.
      • You do not have another working item that can meet this need.
      • The loss of the item was not covered by insurance.
      • Crops and livestock are not “tools and equipment” because they are the products of a farming operation, whereas tools and equipment are the means of production.
    • Ranch hands may be eligible for assistance to replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment not covered by insurance when you can show these items are required by your employer.
    • Disaster-damaged tools, supplies, equipment and items required by an employer as a condition of employment or required for education may be eligible for assistance. This includes personal property required for a specific trade or profession that is not provided or supplied by an employer.
    • Additional assistance to help meet these needs may also be available from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The application deadline is Jan. 7. There are several ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or use the FEMA App for mobile devices. You can also call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or click on this link to locate a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) close to you  DRC Locator. 
    • You can visit any DRC. They are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
       

MONETARY DONATIONS

Our community, along with many of our neighbors, has been devastated by the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The Town of Lake Lure, NC is deeply grateful for the support our community has received.  We have had numerous requests to establish a mechanism for financial donations. Please click on the following link to donate to the Town of Lake Lure Storm Recovery Fund.  

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/WXB6HYYE8Y5PJ

Additional options for monetary donations include the following: 

• Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach: https://hickorynutgorgeoutreach.org/one-time-donation/

• RHI Legacy Foundation will match any donation up to $50,000 at www.rhilegacyfoundation.com

• United Way of Rutherford County at www.unitedwayofrutherford.org

• Hurricane Helene – Força Foundation https://forcafoundation.com/hurricane-helene/

• Restore Lake Lure Fundraising Campaign: www.RestoreLakeLure.com "The Restore Lake Lure campaign seeks to bridge the gap between governmental support and personal sacrifice."

FINANCIAL SUPPORT/APPLICATIONS

The following chart illustrates the financial support the Town of Lake Lure is currently seeking, in addition to Federal and State Funding requests that have been made on behalf of the Town through our political representatives. The Town is working with ICF, disaster management planning experts.  They are assisting the Town with post-disaster federal funding applications to expedite our recovery process.

 STORM RECOVERY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Swift evacuation by first responders saving countless lives 9/27/24.

• Countless rescues first responders during and following Hurricane Helene.

• Coordination with the Rutherford County Emergency Management during and throughout the storm.

• Dam assessment and stabilization immediately following the storm event 9/27/24-9/29/24.

• Communication with the Rutherford County EOC and FEMA for recovery immediately following the storm.

• Coordination with volunteer groups to provide hot meals, shower services, restrooms, and handwashing stations in strategic locations by 10/1/24. Christian Aid Ministries served 8,080 hot meals and assisted 43 homeowners with cleanup of their homes and property.  There were 164 volunteers and they spent 2,457 hours assisting our community!

• Creation of donation stations to disseminate supplies throughout town by 10/1/24. 

• Cleared Highways and Town roads within days of the storm.

• Restoration of water service throughout Town with water quality testing allowing Boil Advisory lifted 10/14/24 and 10/16/24 respectively.

• Rapid repair of power services throughout Town by Duke Power and REMC.  

• Establishment of temporary communications systems through Starlink (10 systems) and Cell on Wheels with AT&T and Verizon 10/16/24.

• Replacement of fiber to re-establish internet and cell service to the area 10/18/24. 

• Repair to the left abutment of the Dam by 10/27/24 with 2,494.64 tons of material securing the area.

• Army Corps of Engineers contract signed with AshBritt to oversee lake debris and silt/sedimentation removal during a 160 day period of performance beginning 10/28/24.  Debris removal began 11/4/24.

• Emergency repairs to the sewer system completed, allowing "no flush order" to be lifted for most on 10/28/24.

• Reopening of the Dam Bridge on Buffalo Shoals Road on 10/31/24.

• Dittmer Watts Nature Trails and a portion of the Green Space reopened on 11/19/24.

• Pressure Reducing Valve Construction in Lake Lure Town Center successfully completed 11/22/24.

• The Boys Camp Road Temporary Bridge was completed 11/26/24.

• As of 12/12/24, Over 16,800 cubic yards of debris have been removed from the lake, Over 15,900 cubic yards of debris have been removed from the right of way. Over 9,680 tons sediment and silt have been removed from Town.

• The Town is committed to sharing details of the recovery process and as our comprehensive plans are developed, this information will continue to be shared broadly on the website and in Town Meetings.

ONGOING

• Emergency repairs to the sewer system.

• Constant removal hazardous debris from the lake as a top priority is ongoing.

• Removal of boats with emphasis on hazardous vessels first.

• Town officials are working to develop a comprehensive plan for recovery of the lake which will include dredging but the focus at this juncture is removing hazardous debris and silt removal.

QUESTIONS

You may review previous Storm Recovery Updates in Town News at www.townoflakelure.com

For questions, please email Communications@townoflakelure.com