LAKE, N.C. (WTVD) -- A town in Western North Carolina is on track to complete its cleanup and restoration efforts by October 31, nearly a year after Hurricane Helene.
The town of Lake Lure plans to refill the lake to its full level and reopen it to the public in May 2026. The lake, which has dropped nearly 30 feet during the cleanup, was heavily impacted by the storm.
"Reopening Lake Lure will be more than a return to normal-it will be a symbol of resilience, unity, and the incredible power of partnership," said Mayor Carol Pritchett in the release. "This achievement will help drive the full recovery of Lake Lure and the greater Hickory Nut Gorge region."
Known for its central lake and the historic Lake Lure Inn-where the cast and crew of the 1987 film Dirty Dancing stayed-the town faced significant damage from Helene. The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge in Rutherford County was destroyed by the storm's floods and winds last September, and the historic structure had to be demolished due to further deterioration.