Bright Days Ahead!

Welcome to the Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge where we are committed to keeping our community informed and united as we recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.

Our beautiful region has faced significant challenges, but together, we are rebuilding stronger than ever. Here, you will find the latest updates on recovery efforts, resources for businesses and residents, and ways to get involved in revitalizing our beloved area.

Whether you're a local business owner, resident, or a friend of our community, we appreciate your support and invite you to join us in this journey of resilience and renewal.

LOCALS ONLY PLEASE

• Town Officials have asked that no one come to Town unless you live here. 
• The NC Highway Patrol and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office are overseeing checkpoints requiring verification to minimize traffic going to Town Center.

TOWN CENTER ACCESS AND BEYOND: 

• Use caution when driving in the area due to road construction and power trucks.  Expect delays from working crews. 
• Routes in and out of the Lake Lure area are subject to change as roads are being cleared and power lines are being repaired. 
• Through traffic is limited to homeowners in the Town Center area near the Lake Lure Beach and Arcade Center. 
• Traffic is not allowed beyond this area as it is currently unsafe. 
• Traffic to Boys Camp Road is currently restricted as the temporary Boys Camp Road Bridge is being built.
• Traffic to the Village of Chimney Rock is currently limited to Fire Department personnel and other essential workers. On Wednesday, 10/9/24, Officials are working with businessowners and homeowners to allow one time access to their property trhough a pass system.  

INGRESS/EGRESS: The following are currently accessible routes. 

• Highway 9 is now open  
• 64/74 to Rutherfordton from Lake Lure is open. 
• 64/74 to Chimney Rock is not accessible. NC DOT is rebuilding a temporary road to enable access.

TOWN OF LAKE LURE

October 8, 2024

• Lake Lure remains under a State of Emergency and a curfew is in place from 7:30PM - 7:30AM.
• A new Hurricane Helene Fact vs Rumor web page has been established by the NC Dept of Public Safety.
• A new Hurricane Helene Question and Answer web page has been established. 
• 1,021 individuals have been confirmed safe. 
• 41 active missing persons investigations underway. 
• 3 total deceased in Rutherford County active welfare checks in progress. 
• To report a missing person, please email EOC@rutherfordcountync.gov.

FEMA ASSISTANCE

• FEMA representatives attended the Town Council Special Meeting and provided general information. 
• FEMA representatives are working closely with Town Officials and daily meetings are taking place to ensure coordination.
• FEMA representatives will be going door-to-door offering assistance for those who live in areas most impacted by the storm.  If a FEMA representative comes to your home, they will show their ID to confirm their employer.
• FEMA representatives are available at the following locations to assist anyone in the community from 9:00am-5:00pm
  • Lake Lure Baptist Church: 6837 US-74 ALT, Lake Lure, NC 28746
  • Ingles in Lake Lure: 276 NC-9, Lake Lure, NC 28746
  • Rutherford County Library: 255 Callahan Koon Rd, Spindale, NC 28160
• FEMA App: Use the FEMA app to apply directly from your smartphone. 
• Online: Visit www.disasterassistance.gov to apply. 
• By Phone: Call 1-800-621-3362 to speak with a FEMA representative.

•  LAKE LURE RESOURCE CENTER: Ingles on Highway 9

• Ingles is now open - cash only.
• Christian Aid Ministry Rapid Response Team is serving 300+ meals to all who come between 11:30-1:30 and 4:30-6:30.   
• Shower trailers, restrooms, and a hand washing station available.
• Charging station available (near the food trailer) but please bring your charging cords. 
• Public Starlink WiFi (LL Starlink) available with no password. 
  • Turn on WiFi on your phone.
  • Turn your phone to airplane mode. 
  • Under WiFi, click on LL Starlink and you should be good to go.
• Tool trailers and workers available to assist with home repairs and yard clearing for free.
• Fairfield Mountains Chapel is also available for spiritual support as needed.  
• Lake Lure Baptist Church provides showers, restrooms, and meals daily from 12-5PM. 

• MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC: Available at the Rutherford County EMS Station on Bill's Creek Road, next to the Library from 9:30-4:30.

  POST OFFICE: The Lake Lure Post Office is now operating under there regular schedule. 

  VOTER INFORMATION: www.rutherfordcountync.gov

• https://www.rutherfordcountync.gov/departments/board_of_elections/index.php
• Voters impacted by Hurricane Helene: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election/helene-recovery-and-voting

• RESTAURANTS: The Lake House Restaurant reopened!

DONATION STATION:

• A Donation Station has been established at the Parks, Recreation, and Lake Office at 658 Memorial Highway (64/74), next to the Lake Lure Fire Department for those with a need.
• The station will be opened from 10AM - 3:00 PM Monday – Friday
• Additional Donation Substations include Chimney Rock Fire Department, Chimney Rock Baptist Church, Lake Lure Baptist Church, and Temple of Jesus. 
• If you are in need of these items, they will be distributed from these locations as long as supplies last.
• You may also visit Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach (Monday- Friday 10-2) for additional food and toiletry items.
• We are so very grateful for the tremendous amount of donations received and we are working to disperse what we have to those with a need. 

TRASH: 

• The Bill’s Creek Convenience Center open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday. (Closed Sundays) 
• The Town is working to establish additional trash dumps for construction debris near highway 9.  Please stay tuned for details.

WATER/SEWER SYSTEM

• Water has been restored in the Town Center area and the Firefly Cove well is working.  The water system has been restored in the Boys Camp Road area.   
• A BOIL ADVISORY remains in place for Town and well water.  We are awaiting the results of the water quality test.
• A NO FLUSH order is in place for those on the Town system.
• Emergency repairs are being made to the lift station which will enable the sewer system to be utilized.
• The electrical system in the Waste Water Treatment Plant is being redone.  
• The Town is working with the NC Department of Environmental Quality on all activies.

• VOLUNTEERS: To support disaster recovery efforts, please email volunteer@rutherfordcountync.gov.

  UTILITIES/INFRASTRUCTURE

  POWER: 

• Duke Energy and REMC have made significant progress restoring power throughout the Hickory Nut Gorge area.

• Crews are working through the night to continue to restore power to every home. 
• Duke Energy: Power has been restored for 90% of customers (including parts of Boys Camp Road). Less than 3,000 customers are without power.  
• REMC: Power has been restored for 77% of customers. 1,554 without power at this time. 
• We appreciate everyone's support and caution driving through areas where crews are working. 

PLEASE STAY OFF THE LAKE: 

• The lake is currently unsafe and only approved workers are able to be out on the lake at this time. 
• Booms are in placed to prevent large debris from going further downstream toward the dam. 
• Crews are working to remove debris as carefully and quickly as possible. 

BOATS:

• Contractors have been hired to remove any leaking boats from the lake.
• Boat owners will be contacted by the contractor if your boat has been removed.

DAM/LAKE LEVELS:

• The Lake Lure Dam remains stable.
• Repairs are being done to restore the erosion on the left side Buffalo Creek 
• The Lake Level will remains at approximately 985.5, five feet below full pond. Town staff are working to maintain a stable lake level to minimize the risk for debris floating toward the lake. 

UPDATE FROM MAYOR PETER O'LEARY

Oct. 7, 2024

• NC DOT and their contractors are making steady progress with reconstruction of Main Street headed west to Bat Cave. While this will be a long process, it is encouraging to see the initial progress.

• Debris, sand and silt cleanup are going well on Main Street. Due to the construction equipment, there is no room for parking, pedestrians or personal vehicle traffic.

• Power crews are doing great work with visible signs of progress in our immediate area.

• Power has been restored as close as Lured Market in Lake Lure.

• On Monday and Tuesday, engineers from Odom Engineering are donating time to inspect commercial buildings on both sides of the river. They will determine if buildings are safe to enter.

• On Wednesday the Village will expand the pass program to allow business owners and Terrace Drive area property owners to assess their individual property. Owners are allowed to bring in one vehicle once a day and may bring other passengers in their vehicle. We will assign passes from 10 am until noon at the new Lake Lure ABC store parking lot on Memorial Highway. We want to allow owners to access their property safely while continuing cleanup. Do not walk around to sightsee or take photographs as this is a disaster area.

• Business owners should use Main Street, then turn right on Mathis Drive (across from Carter Lodge) to Terrace Drive. From Terrace Drive, proceed to the main parking lot behind Chimney Rock Smokehouse. Park in the main parking lot and walk to your business. Try to avoid Main Street as much as possible. You are welcome to remove whatever you can carry and do whatever is needed at your business. Be extremely cautious on Main Street. Do not block Main Street or drive on it as NC DOT has large heavy equipment on the road. The road is busy and dusty making visibility limited.

• Terrace Drive area property owners should exit from Main Street at John's Road or Mathis Drive and then drive to your property. Do not park on or block Terrace Drive. Do not block the road as it is used for all traffic and emergency vehicles.

• Residents and businesses who receive their mail at the Chimney Rock Village Post Office can obtain their mail at the Lake Lure Post Office during regular business hours.

Give Wisely

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many of us want to lend a hand to support the recovery of local businesses and community members. However, with the increase in donation appeals, it’s essential to ensure your contributions reach those who truly need it. Unfortunately, not all donation drives have clear guidelines, which can leave room for scams or mismanagement of funds. Here are some tips to ensure your donation goes to a legitimate and trustworthy organization:

1. Verify the Organization's Credentials

• Look for organizations with established histories, such as local community foundations, national charities, or Chamber of Commerce efforts. If the organization is unfamiliar, check whether it is registered as a nonprofit with the IRS.
• Websites like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance can provide insights into a charity’s track record and financial transparency.

2. Be Cautious with Crowdfunding Campaigns

• While many good-intentioned individuals set up donation accounts through platforms like GoFundMe, it’s important to understand that these sites do not have strict regulations or oversight on how funds are used. As a result, there is no guarantee that the money will go directly to those in need.
• When in doubt, it’s best to select non-profit organizations that have a long history of serving the community. These organizations are often more transparent about where funds go and are accountable to donors and the public.

3. Look for Transparency

• Reputable organizations are transparent about their spending. They should be able to clearly explain how funds will be allocated (e.g., how much will go directly to aid versus administrative costs).
• Check their website for detailed plans, progress reports, and information on the people they are helping. This openness is a good sign that they are using funds as intended.

4. Consider Local Organizations with a Strong Community Presence

• In times of disaster, local nonprofits, churches, and chambers often have the most direct access to those in need. Supporting these established entities can ensure that your contribution reaches your neighbors more quickly.
• Before donating, research or reach out to the Chamber of Commerce or local government offices for recommendations on trusted organizations involved in the relief effort.

5. Trust Your Instincts

• If something seems off, it probably is. Avoid high-pressure tactics, vague promises, or requests for unusual payment methods (like gift cards or wire transfers). Always take the time to do your research before making a contribution.

By taking these precautions, you can ensure your generous donation reaches the right hands, helping our community rebuild stronger after Hurricane Helene. Together, we can make a difference while protecting ourselves and each other from potential pitfalls.

CLICK HERE FOR FEMA RECOMMENDATIONS TO AVOID FRAUD