Homeless mayor and waterlogged downtown: Chimney Rock, North Carolina picks up the pieces after Helene
For nearly two centuries, Chimney Rock has stood sentry over the tiny town in the Blue Ridge Mountains that bears its name. Now, in the wake of Hurricane Helene, it looks down upon miles and miles of devastation.
CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. — For nearly two centuries, a natural wonder called Chimney Rock has stood sentry over the tiny town in the Blue Ridge Mountains that bears its name.
Now, in the wake of Hurricane Helene, it looks down upon miles and miles of devastation.
Walking down what’s left of Main Street, the mayor of the Village of Chimney Rock briefly choked up as he looked at the wrecked buildings where he lives and that house his family business, Bubba O’Leary’s General Store.
“Welcome to Chimney Rock,” Mayor Peter O’Leary said, his face reddening a bit before he let out a sad laugh.
The building housing the “old-timey general store” where O’Leary sold tourists everything from penny candy and spicy jams to pricy souvenirs looked like its footings had been kicked out from underneath it and was partially collapsed.
Rating: 5