It’s going to take years to recover."
Experts are calling it the hardest-hit spot in a region where destruction stretches for hundreds of miles.
“Our little community of about 125 people… every single business has been either destroyed or severely damaged.
Credit:Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images
Many of them are damaged to the point where they’ll have to be completely rebuilt, O’Leary said.
“It’s devastating.
The whole community of Chimney Rock is changed forever.”
Credit:Sean Pavone/Getty Images
We are all devastated and starting from zero, O’Leary told Fox Weather.
It’s going to take years to recover.”
Sean Pavone/Getty Images
Just a few miles downstream is another beloved Southern landmark:Lake Lure.
But today, its unrecognizable.
Lake Lure is right directly next to us and directly downstream from us.
So everything that washed away in Chimney Rock is now floating in Lake Lure, O’Leary explained.
It’s an amazing, incredible, devastating sight."
The mayor wasnt exaggerating.
At least 30 have died in North Carolinas Buncombe County alone.
Our hearts are with all those affected by this horrible catastrophe.
