WEDNESDAY: EPA to join state and local officials in marking the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene in and around Lake Lure, North Carolina

LAKE LURE, North Carolina (September 15, 2025) - On September 17, 2025, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber will join state and local officials at Old Fort, Lake Lure Dam, Morse Park, Lake Lure Beach and Chimney Rock State Park to mark the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.

Officials will highlight the recovery work accomplished over the past year and the work still underway as the region continues to rebuild resilient communities that can withstand future weather events.

Who:

Kevin McOmber, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 4

Tim Baldwin, Engineer, Viable Utilities Unit, Division of Water Infrastructure, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

Old Fort, Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Officials

What:

Press tour

When:

September 17, 2025from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (multiple stops - see detailed times below)

Where:

9 - 9:45 a.m. ET, Old Fort

Old Fort Police Department

38 Catawba Ave.

Old Fort, NC 28762

10:30 -11:30 a.m. ET, Lake Lure Dam

197 Buffalo Shoals Rd.

Lake Lure, NC 28746

11:50 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET, Morse Park

2948 Memorial Hwy

Lake Lure, NC 28746

12:10 - 12:30 p.m. ET, Lake Lure Beach

2724 Memorial Highway

Lake Lure, NC 28746

12:40 - 1 p.m. ET,Chimney Rock State Park

174 Chimney Rock Park Rd.

Chimney Rock, NC 28720

Note: Reporters are invited to attend a portion of the tour or the full itinerary.

RSVP: Credentialed media who wish to attend should sign up no later than 7 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025at: https://www.epa.gov/ga/forms/epa-region-4-event-rsvp-form.

Background:Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina on September 27, 2024, causing catastrophic flooding and destruction. A Federal Major Disaster Declaration covered 39 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.