Hurricane Helene Recovery: 74 Miles of Roads & Bridges Repairs in Yancey Mitchell Counties

WNC --  In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the rugged mountain communities of Yancey and Mitchell counties are facing a long road to recovery — quite literally. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), more than 74 miles of roads and bridges across both counties are in critical need of repair or replacement following the storm’s widespread devastation.

The historic hurricane, which tore through Western North Carolina in late September 2024, triggered severe flooding, landslides, and erosion across the Blue Ridge Mountains. The storm left dozens of roads impassable, washed out vital bridges, and isolated entire communities, especially in these two rural counties where transportation routes often run alongside rivers and across steep terrain.

A Breakdown of the Road Repairs
The NCDOT has divided the storm recovery projects into four main corridors, spanning both Yancey and Mitchell counties:

N.C. 197 North: 18 miles of damage concentrated in the Toe and Nolichucky River Basin, impacting communities in northern Mitchell and northeastern Yancey counties.

N.C. 197 South: 30 miles of roadwork needed, including key routes in southern Yancey and western Mitchell, where major landslides occurred.

U.S. 19W North: 14 miles of roadway impacted, including a 6-mile segment between Piney Hill Road and Will Higgins Road along the Mitchell-Yancey border.

U.S. 19W South: 12 miles of heavily damaged infrastructure, primarily in southern Yancey County near Cane River.

These routes are not just rural roads — they are lifelines for small towns, emergency responders, school buses, and businesses that rely on regional access.

Financial and Structural Toll
Together, Yancey and Mitchell counties face one of the most extensive post-storm rebuilds in the state. Estimates place the cost of full recovery for their road systems at well over $1.1 billion, part of a broader $5 billion infrastructure damage total for Western North Carolina.

To date, the NCDOT has reopened 90% of storm-damaged roads across the region and has completed more than 270 bridge repairs and 870 culvert replacements. However, many areas in Mitchell County remain in need of long-term reconstruction, particularly where entire slopes gave way during the storm.

“We know how important these roads are for the daily lives of our residents,” said Kevin Moore, NCDOT Division 13 Engineer. “Both Yancey and Mitchell counties are top priorities. We are working hard to rebuild smarter, safer, and stronger.”

State Support and Community Input
In support of the recovery efforts, North Carolina lawmakers have approved an additional $524 million in state disaster funding. These funds are being directed toward repairing not just public infrastructure, but also helping homeowners, farmers, and small businesses recover from the economic impacts of the storm.

Local residents recently had the opportunity to weigh in during a public meeting hosted by NCDOT on March 31, 2025. Community members from both counties gathered to ask questions, review project timelines, and express concerns over lingering road closures and detours.

Building Back Better
Beyond simply replacing what was lost, state engineers are focusing on making infrastructure more resilient. Many of the roads and bridges being rebuilt will feature improved drainage, slope stabilization, and modern engineering to better withstand future storms.

WNCTimes

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