ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The high water levels have receded and much of the chaos and cries for help have calmed, but it will take weeks if not months before the renowned downtown village of Biltmore returns to prominence.
On Saturday, a once-pristine river nearby was now choked with trash, mud, metal and dirt. Shopping and eating out had become nonexistent.
And the tree branches, logs and dumpster that floated through the river last weekend are in the same place.
In fact, many of the features that gave Biltmore its charm and prestige have been washed away with the floods brought on by Hurricane Helene.
Walking past a big truck lying face down in a pool of brown water on Saturday, Gabriel Smith, 19, said he wants life to return to what it was before.
“It’s pretty miserable,” said Smith, who was helping to fix up the village. “I think we’re all very tired and I think there’s a lot of work that still needs to be done.”
It’s been more than a week since Hurricane Helene left a deadly mark on Biltmore.
Water levels reached several feet high, with some areas nearing the tops of street signs.
Fast-moving water surged above front-door steps, inundating buildings and small businesses as Asheville appeared nearly flattened by Helene.
A week later, downtown was full of police guiding long traffic lines, while construction crews cleared parking lots in the village renowned originally for being built by one individual.
But the scars from Helene remained.
A bent railroad crossing appeared ready to fall over. Occasionally, fire trucks raced past and helicopters flew above. Emotions were running high.
“It’s been chaotic and devastating but the good part is I’ve seen everyone come together regardless of race, color or political affiliation,” said Asheville resident Renee White, 59.
She said seeing the damage to the river walk, arts district and Biltmore along with the loss of lives and businesses, brings her to tears.
“We’re making it but it’s tough,” she said.
Some residents said they’ve used the tragedy to lift up their community.
Asheville resident Kareem McDowell, 50, said there was a lot of panic, but when that settled, it became a question of “What do we do next?”
“Everyone has been coming together and working it out and we’re just trying to keep it going,” he said. “We have to look out for each other.”