Two years after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, four homes that owners worked to repair after the storm are now set to be demolished. The homes, in Hendersonville’s Cottages at Cypress Run neighbourhood, were among properties damaged by the September 2024 storm and were rebuilt with homeowners’ own money and help from volunteers. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), 535 of 892 homes in areas prone to repeated flooding have so far been approved for voluntary acquisition through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Properties bought through the programme are removed, with the land returned to natural areas to reduce future flood risk.
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Homes repaired after Helene now face demolition
Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic flooding to western North Carolina on September 27, 2024. NCDPS says the storm caused nearly $60 billion in damage across the state, damaged or destroyed more than 73,000 homes and resulted in 107 deaths. Two years later, the state says recovery remains ongoing.
In Hendersonville, the consequences of that recovery process are now particularly visible at The Cottages at Cypress Run. Nearly half of the homes in the neighbourhood flooded during Helene. According to WLOS, four homes on Leyland Circle have since been repaired but are now scheduled to be demolished after their owners accepted voluntary FEMA buyouts.
Charlene Olsen, one of the homeowners, told WLOS that about three feet of water filled her home during the storm. She said she and her dog returned to find the property covered in mud. Olsen later rebuilt the house using her own money and volunteer assistance, as did other neighbours. Despite the work that went into restoring the property, Olsen accepted a buyout. She told WLOS that she did not feel comfortable returning to the home after what happened during Helene. “I’m happy for the people that feel safe living there, but I don’t,” Olsen said.
