In North Carolina, Lake Lure became the site of thousands of pounds of debris and sediment washed in from Hurricane Helene in September. Since the storm, the lake has been drained and treasure has been found. Lake Lure Mayor Carol C. Pritchett joins FOX Weather to talk about the recovery process.
LAKE LURE, N.C.– A beloved lake in the mountains of western North Carolina that suffered significant damage during Hurricane Helene in September 2024 has started being refilled.
Hurricane Helene swept through North Carolina in September 2024, leaving extensive damage across the region as heavy rain caused catastrophic mudslides and flooding through the mountains.
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Entire towns were decimated by the hurricane, and Lake Lure was filled with thousands of pounds of debris and sediment.
The remnants of a home are seen in Lake Lure, North Carolina, October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene.
(ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Part of the cleanup efforts from Helene’s damage involved draining Lake Lure. The project started in June 2025 and the nearly 800-acre reservoir was almost completely drained, revealing decades of treasures at the bottom of the lake.
During the draining process, Jake Mohl, owner of Lake Lure Dock Companywho was working on draining the lake, said: “This is the first time the lake has been this low since it was first filled nearly a century ago.”
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Now, several months after draining the lake, town officials are working to refill the lake once again.
The Town of Lake Lure said on Friday that it had begun filling the lake again, but the process will be slow to complete.
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The lake can only be filled by one foot per day, according to the town. The refilling is also heavily dependent on rainfall and weather conditions.
An update from the town in late January said the lake was 15 to 16 feet below full pond level.
TOPSHOT – A local police car is seen half engulfed in mud, in a flooded area of Lake Lure, North Carolina, October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. The death toll from powerful storm Helene, which battered the southeastern United States, has climbed to at least 155, authorities said on October 1, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris prepared to survey the damage. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)
(Allison Joyce / AFP / Getty Images)
“Today is an extremely important step forward in our recovery,” Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett said. “While we cannot yet confirm exactly when the lake will return to full pond, this marks a major turning point for Lake Lure.”
Lake Lure said the lake’s levels were all normal following comprehensive water quality testing.
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“Thanks to the dedication of so many, we have witnessed progress that many believed was impossible,” Pritchett said. “Our lake — our namesake, our refuge and our economic lifeline — is coming back stronger than ever.”
Lake Lure in late January 2026.
(Town of Lake Lure, NC/Facebook / FOX Weather)
The town attributed the lake’s restoration to a collaborative effort between local, state and federal agencies, as well as private contractors.
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The town said it hopes to have Lake Lure completely full by Memorial Day weekend.
“The refilling of Lake Lure is more than an operational milestone — it is a symbol of resilience, recovery and the strength of partnership,” the Town of Lake Lure said in a news release. “The town looks forward to welcoming residents, visitors and future generations back to a restored lake that remains central to the heart of this community. Together we rise!”
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Lake Lure is known for its tourism, especially in the warmer months of the year. Families flock to the lake to enjoy their summer holidays.
The lake is the number one attraction for visitors to the area, according to the town’s website.
