The City of Asheville announced this week $6.9 million in new federal and state funding to advance the Helene's recoveryThis money arrived after months of delay due to the partial government shutdown federal.
El Hurricane Helene It struck western North Carolina in September 2024. It also left Asheville without drinking water for almost two months, which was one of the most serious impacts the city experienced.
Seventeen months later, the water system is functioning normally, but a key part is still awaiting repair.
Most of the new funds — more than $5.5 million in federal and state contributions — will be allocated to Replace the fusegate of the North Fork DamThis is a safety gate that was activated during Helene to contain the flow of the reservoir and prevent catastrophic flooding in low-lying areas of the city.
“The North Fork auxiliary spillway is perhaps the most important project in the history of our water system. It performed exactly as designed during Helene: protecting the treatment plant’s earthen dam, preventing immeasurable loss of life and property, and preserving 80% of our drinking water supply,” said Acting Water Resources Director Bill Hart in an official statement.
Completed in 2021 as part of the North Fork Dam Improvement Project, the fusegate was specifically designed for large-scale events like Hurricane Helene. Consequently, without it, a similar event would leave the city without that protection.
About the North Fork Dam and its role in the city's drinking water system
Built in 1955, the North Fork Dam supplies 70% of Asheville's drinking water. It is the city's most important water infrastructure.
In 2017, as part of efforts to modernize the infrastructure, the Dam Improvement Project began. It was completed in 2021 and included the construction of an auxiliary spillway with fusible gates—chosen for their lower environmental impact and cost.
The floodgate functions as a last-resort safety mechanism. Under normal conditions, it remains closed. In the event of an extreme flow, it is activated in a controlled manner to protect the main dam—exactly what happened during Helene.
The project was recognized with the ASDSO National Rehabilitation Award. During Helene, the fusible gate activated and protected the dam—but it was taken out of service.
The $5.5 million announced this week will allow it to be replaced and give the city back that layer of protection against future extreme weather events.
>>> More than 3.500 roads and bridges damaged by Helene are still waiting to be repaired
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More construction projects in Asheville
The remaining funds—just over $1.3 million—will be used to repair additional infrastructure damaged by Helene. Nearly $910,000 will go toward the recovery of seven city parks: Aston Park Tennis, Kenilworth Park, Montford Ballfield, Weave Park, Roger Farmer Park, Eagle Street, and Malvern Hills Park.
In addition, the repair of damaged railings in various parts of the city ($158,419) and the temporary bridge on Hardesty Lane ($256,057) will be covered.
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After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
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