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Responding to Hurricane Helene
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through the southeast, devastating much of Western North Carolina. In the wake of the catastrophic destruction to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, the public, private, and nonprofit sectors banded together to provide immediate relief and support. The EDPNC responded quickly with efforts focused on supporting small businesses and the tourism economy.
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, the Small Business Advisors team was on call to field requests from small business owners, sending information to more than 100 businesses and connecting them with local support organizations. The Marketing team halted its business attraction campaign temporarily and focused instead on in-state messaging to help affected businesses connect with necessary resources at state and local levels.
The Tourism team sprang into action, fielding and convening calls for tourism partners in the western region. They served as a central repository for information, gathering input from local partners and relaying closures to state agencies, welcome centers, and travel industry suppliers like Expedia and AirBnB. The team also provided critical, real-time support for existing travel advisory resources by offering an interactive map indicating which counties were closed to travelers and which counties were open for business and welcoming tourists.
A research study was executed in primary markets to understand perceptions of hurricane damage. The study found that the likelihood of residents outside the state planning to visit North Carolina fell, with 25-50% of potential visitors having misperceptions of which areas of the state were affected by the hurricane and what areas had access to running water, power, and cell service.
Recognizing the long-term impact these negative perceptions could have on the region and state’s tourism economy, the North Carolina legislature appropriated $5 million to develop a tailored marketing campaign to drive tourism to Western North Carolina, particularly during the holiday and winter season.
Recovery efforts are ongoing, though much progress has been made, and businesses are finding resources they need to reopen. With his new administration beginning in January 2025, Governor Josh Stein launched the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina to accelerate recovery efforts, particularly in areas that were hit hardest. As of February, 2025, the WNC Small Business Initiative has funded 989 loans for small business owners impacted by Helene to bolster economic recovery, and 84% of roads have reopened since the storm’s initial impact.
Hurricane Recovery Messaging
Notable Announcements
EDPNC Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
