The French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers cross a mountainous region in western North Carolina. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Asheville became a major industrial, economic, artistic, and tourist hub. Small towns along the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers, such as Marshall, Swannanoa, and Chimney Rock, each have unique histories of their own, with roots in agriculture, industry, and tourism. Today, the French Broad and Swannanoa River corridors continue to be integral to the region’s vibrant arts and tourism economy.
Tropical Storm Helene made landfall along the Florida Gulf Coast as a Category 4 hurricane on September 26, 2024. During the storm, the French Broad River crested at 24.67 feet, and the Swannanoa River hit 27.33 feet, breaking a 100-year-old record. Historic structures and communities along the rivers suffered significant damage, including the River Arts District and Biltmore Village in Asheville and nearby towns like Swannanoa. Previously, Asheville and Western North Carolina had been considered a “climate haven,” not susceptible to these types of severe weather disasters. However, Tropical Storm Helene’s devastation underscores the area’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
Many affected properties were not in flood zones and lacked insurance, compounding recovery challenges. Communities are struggling to rebuild and wondering how they can prepare for the future. While recovery is underway and local organizations like the Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County are leading preservation efforts, funding for historic structures and communities along the hard-hit river corridors is still urgently needed, as well as support for preservation-based resiliency planning. Bringing national attention, renewed tourism, and continued resources and support can help impacted communities recover and rebuild with a focus on preservation and resiliency, to ensure a thriving future.
See more photos of the French Broad and Swannanoa River Corridors
