Recovering Together: 10 Months Since Helene in Waynesville, North Carolina
Community Updates
Ten months after Hurricane Helene, we find ourselves in the middle of July. It is hot, sticky, and most afternoons bring a passing thunderstorm. While the rain has been kinder to us so far this summer, McGill is still working to help communities recover from the destruction of last fall’s hurricane. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be highlighting some towns that accrued damage from the storm to provide an update on what work has been done, what’s in the pipeline, and what businesses are open and ready for visitors.
A Closer Look at Waynesville, NC
The Town of Waynesville is situated about 30 minutes west of Asheville in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. It has much to offer, including restaurants, shops, hiking trails, and special events, among other things. When Hurricane Helene came through the region, the Town experienced flooding, which damaged local infrastructure and businesses. While the Town of Waynesville sustained less damage than some other areas of Western North Carolina, Helene still left a mark on the community.
How Was Waynesville Impacted?
The storm caused Richland Creek to flood, which made Depot Street Bridge not structurally safe. The bridge has been repaired, and since it was a popular route into Waynesville, the Town is glad to have it reopened. Two of the Town’s main sewer outfalls into Richland Creek were swept away, which McGill team members helped repair. There was also a smaller, 12-inch sewer main that was swept into Raccoon Creek. Since our water / wastewater team is familiar with water and sewer projects in Western North Carolina, we were able to quickly step in and support the Town.
Waynesville’s historic commercial district is called Frog Level. After the storm, it held three feet of water, which closed most businesses. Currently, 22 damaged homes are without building permits.
The Town’s ballfields, walking trail, and dog park were also damaged, as was the Town’s finance building. Despite the damage, the Town has completed or is working on all improvements that are accessible. The Downtown District did not receive any damage, and the Hazelwood Commercial District only received minor flooding, from which it has fully recovered.
The Historical Significance of Waynesville’s Frog Level District
Frog Level came as a result of the railroad arriving in Western North Carolina. The railroad allowed agriculture, lumber, and tourism to more easily come into Waynesville, and, on a larger scale, to Haywood County. The name Frog Level comes from the area’s low-lying placement near to the creek. Before Helene, the district was vibrant and offered a variety of shops and restaurants for passersby. Almost all of the businesses remain closed after Helene, but the Town is hopeful the shop and business owners will be able to make repairs and reopen sometime in the future. Currently, there are two businesses in the Frog Level district that are open: Panacea Coffee Company and Frog Level Brewing. These two businesses were built slightly above ground level and did not experience flooding in the same way.
What is Next for Waynesville?
The Town of Waynesville is almost back to normal. Rob Hites, Town Manager, acknowledges that Waynesville was not impacted in the same way as neighboring towns, like Clyde, but he is thankful for the way Town staff has come together as a team to determine a plan, remove debris, and make improvements. McGill is glad to see the positive advancements in the Town and is grateful for our ability to support its recovery efforts in a time of need.
Check out everything else that Waynesville has to offer, and learn more about our water / wastewater team.
