The town suffered catastrophic damage after more than 22 inches of rain triggered devastating flooding and mudslides.
Now, nearly 20 months later, Lake Lure is welcoming visitors back for the summer season.
The centerpiece of the town is the lake itself.
Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Duston Waycaster took ABC11 out on a boat and showed how crews removed more than 1.2 million tons of sediment and debris that ended up in the lake after Helene.
"The overwhelming amount of work that we faced a few years ago," Waycaster said, "and then here we are today, and we're actually open, and the lake is really beautiful."
He said crews are continuing to test the water and that it's "as great as it has ever been."
The lake's clean, calm appearance is a dramatic contrast to the destruction left behind after Helene.
Dave DiOrio, Lake Lure's mayor pro tem who has lived in the area for 14 years, described the storm's aftermath as a "mixture of the water and the mudslides."
Dozens of boats and boathouses were destroyed, along with some homes, Town Hall, the visitors center and the Flowering Bridge.
"The mudslides were horrendous," DiOrio said. "And that's really what created most of the damage."
He said the recovery has been difficult for both residents and businesses.
"The infrastructure has a long way to go, and we really feel for those folks in Hickory Gorge that lost their homes - that's going to be a longer recovery," DiOrio said. "But the natural beauty is here, so come and enjoy the natural beauty, which then supports those people trying to get back up on their feet."
There are several activities planned this Memorial Day weekend. DiOrio said visitors can boat, swim, or rent a kayak or canoe.
The area also offers much more.
"The trails are great. Chimney Rock State Park is open, which is a great trail system," DiOrio said. "We have our own municipal park and green space area."
Town leaders hope the holiday weekend will kick off a strong summer tourism season and provide an economic boost for businesses still recovering from the storm.
"The wildlife is back in hordes," DiOrio said. "The eagles are flying, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. We have a number of folks who are fishing here today, catching lots of fish."
Diane Lee, who grew up visiting Lake Lure, returned with her husband Wylie to see the progress firsthand.
"It is better than ever," she said. "It is wonderful."
Recovery efforts are still ongoing, but the town is ready to welcome visitors back. Events are planned throughout the summer, as leaders hope tourism helps restore economic activity the area has missed since Hurricane Helene.