That progress has come with the help of more than 2,000 volunteers, some from out of state, who have dedicated their time and talents to the cause.
CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. — It’s been more than six months since Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina, leaving behind destruction and hardship. Few places were hit as hard as Chimney Rock Village, but now, signs of progress are everywhere.
The recovery effort has been powered by an outpouring of support, with volunteers and donations helping to restore the beloved mountain town.
“When we look around, we still see tremendous damage and realize it will take a long time to build back,” Mayor Peter O’Leary said. “But at the same time, we have made tremendous progress, and that is very encouraging.”
Chimney Rock Village is not just rebuilding, it is redefining itself. Every business in the village sustained some level of damage. While full recovery will take time, Chimney Rock is finding its footing again through the kindness of others.
“We come out here every morning, working mostly in Chimney Rock and in Bat Cave,” Amos Stoltzfus, a volunteer with an Amish community from Pennsylvania called Great Needs Trust, said.
That progress has come with the help of more than 2,000 volunteers, some from out of state, who have dedicated their time and talents to the cause.
“We wanted to help the people with the disaster,” Amanda Zook, another volunteer from the group, shared. “Our hearts just felt drawn to come help the people in this area.”
Great Needs Trust volunteers have been instrumental in the rebuilding efforts, offering both skilled labor and their compassion.
“This is a multiyear process,” O’Leary said. “It is a huge job that is going to take a lot of input, a lot of resources, a lot of efforts by a lot of people. All of the building material going into these stores has been donated up to this point, and it has just been a tremendous recovery story that is ongoing.”
The volunteers are not just restoring buildings, they’re also restoring a sense of community.
“We have been cleaning the campground, also insulating a new building and organizing donated products, paper supplies and dry walling,” Sylvia Stoltzfus outlined.
“It’s just inspiring to me to see how people can pull together, work together and get something done,” Zook added.
There is still much to be done, but Chimney Rock’s recovery is clearly in motion, and thanks to the generosity and determination of strangers turned neighbors, the future of this small mountain town looks brighter every day.
“It just fills my heart with joy, watching people get their life back again,” Amos Stoltzfus said. “Somebody that was completely devastated through the storm … somebody who didn’t have anything … it is just so encouraging to see them get back on their feet.”
“It was really great being here … and working,” another volunteer Susan Miller said. “It is definitely something I would love to come back [for], like how it is in a couple of years … it is fun making a difference.”
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte has been following Chimney Rock’s recovery for month. To see some of the station’s previous coverage, click any of the stories below.
