Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts

Hurricane Helene

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane before moving across several states, causing severe damage to Western North Carolina and Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. Hurricane Helene dropped up to 30 inches of rain and had sustained winds of 60 MPH locally. The rain caused major flooding and erosion and the wind caused many trees to fall over.

Carl Sandburg Home NHS currently has several ongoing projects to restore the historic grounds and facilities to how they were before Hurricane Helene. Completing these projects can be a lengthy process because park staff have to ensure that the repairs are consistent with Department of the Interior standards for historic preservation and that there are minimal adverse impacts to all park resources. The National Park Service must first assess the damaged areas, determine the best plan to restore the area while following required regulations, and then contract out the project to complete the work.

This page is to inform you of where Hurricane Helene recovery projects currently stand.

 

Hurricane Helene Recovery Projects

Expand the panels below for a brief update on current projects to restore Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site after the effects of Hurricane Helene. Click on the link in the dropdown for more information on current projects.

Front Lake Dam

Front Lake Dam and bridge suffered further destruction by Hurricane Helene. The new damage is substantial. The previously approved repair plan is no longer valid due to the new, extra damage.

Front Lake Trail

Two pedestrian bridges were washed away during Hurricane Helene. Front Lake Trail is the pedistrian detour with Front Lake Dam Bridge destroyed, and until it is fixed, the park is not accessible from the main parking lot. A temporary solution is underway to open the trail while we are working on restoring the orignal trail.

Sewer Force Main Repairs

Fix and reconnect a broken 3-inch sewer pipe so restrooms and drinking water are available.

Historic Drive Culvert

The culvert at the end of the historic driveway was damaged during Hurricane Helene. Major washouts and a large sinkhole formed, making the drive unusable.

Maintenance Building Roof

Roof needs to be repaired/replaced on a maintenance storage building where a tree fell through it.

Amphitheater Benches

Benches need to be repaired in amphitheater from where trees fell on them.

Waysides

Two informational waysides were damaged from a fallen tree and need to be replaced.

Debris Removal

Park staff and contractors cleared and removed initial storm debris and another estimated 400 cubic yards of debris still needs to be removed.

Side Lake Dam

An assessment of Side Lake Dam needs to be done. Any repairs that are deemed necessary from that assessment will need to be completed.

Trail Washouts

Multiple trails suffered major washouts and damage from Hurricane Helene. Park staff have filled in and repaired most of the five miles of trail in the park.

 

New damage to Front Lake Dam after Hurricane Helene.

NPS

Front Lake Dam

Front Lake dam and bridge suffered further destruction by Hurricane Helene. The new damage is substantial. The previously approved repair plan (which included design, compliance, contracting, and a 2025-26 timetable) is no longer valid due to the new, extensive damage.

Planning is underway for a semi-permanent bridge or boardwalk to restore access into the park near the dam site.

For more information regarding Front Lake Dam, see our Front Lake Dam FAQs page.

 

Washed out area of where two pedestrian bridges crossed creek. One damaged bridge is seen in the background.

NPS

Front Lake Trail

Front Lake Trail is the pedestrian detour from the main parking lot while the bridge at Front Lake Dam is not usable. The trail experienced significant erosion and washouts in several areas due to Hurricane Helene. Additionally, two footbridges washed away and sustained damage.

Presently, staff from the regional office and the park are developing a plan to restore the two washed out bridges and Front Lake Trail. A temporary detour path and footbridge are in place until a permanent solution is completed.

 

Broken pipes from erosion at Front Lake Dam.

NPS

Restore Water Main

A 3-inch sewer pipe was destroyed during Hurricane Helene. The pipe went under the bridge that crossed Front Lake Dam and serviced the majority of the park. With the pipe broken, restrooms and water are not available at the Tenant House, Sandburg Home, and visitor restrooms near the Sandburg Home as runoff would flow into Memminger Creek.

The park has submitted a request for design and construction of a temporary repair to the regional office, and we are waiting for the contract to be awarded.

The design involves locating the current pipes on either side of Memminger Creek, designing and constructing a new way to support the pipe, and making sure the new pipe crossing follows proper specifications.

 

Sinkhole formed on historic drive from damaged culvert.

NPS

Repair Culvert Under Historic Drive

Torrential rainfall and flooding from Hurricane Helene caused considerable undercutting of the historic drive at Little River Road. The historic stone culvert under the drive and the rock wall also sustained damage.

A design for temporary repairs has been submitted to the regional office, and we are waiting for the contract to be awarded.

A historic architect from NPS Historic Preservation Training Center will be on site in June to assess the damage and develop a long term repair plan.

 

A tree through a maintenance bay with two golf carts inside.

NPS

Maintenance Building Roof

A tree fell through a maintenance building and the roof must be replaced.

The debris has been cleared, and an engineer from the NPS southeast regional office is writing a scope of work that will then be sent for contracting.

 

Trees fallen down inside open air amphitheater.

NPS

Amphitheater

Several benches must be replaced from where trees fell and broke them.

The debris has been cleared, and the park is waiting for a contractor to replace the benches.

 

Tree fallen over informational sign.

NPS

Damaged Waysides - Completed

Informational waysides were damaged by fallen trees and must be replaced.

New sign bases were ordered and delivered. Replacement signs have been installed and this project is now complete.

 

Mound of wood chips with equipment and staff.

NPS

Debris Removal

This project is to address and remove fallen trees and storm debris from visitor use areas in the park.

Park staff and contractors have already removed approximately 400 cubic yards of storm debris to ensure safe access for visitors and staff. The next phase involves the removal of approximately 400 cubic yards of additional storm debris.

The second phase of the debris removal project has been submitted to the regional office to be awarded to a contractor.

 

Water seeping through Side Lake Dam.

NPS

Side Lake Dam

Side Lake Dam is experiencing more than normal seepage in the stone spillway, along with additional erosion. A historic architect will be on site in June to assess the damage and help create a plan for repairs.

 

Washed out trail on hill.

NPS

Trail Washouts

Several trails and roads suffered washouts due to heavy rain from Hurricane Helene. Park staff have repaired all trails and roads except for where two pedestrian bridges washed away on Front Lake Trail.