Hurricane Helene: One Year Later on the Nolichucky

The Nolichucky River in Erwin, TN

One year ago, Hurricane Helene struck our mountains and river valleys with a force that reshaped lives, landscapes, and livelihoods. In the days and weeks that followed, our Appalachian community rose together—neighbors helping neighbors, strangers becoming family—and the Nolichucky River became both a symbol of devastation and a channel for resilience.

Humanitarian Aid and First Response

Founding members of NORA and the community of Poplar worked together to provide much needed humanitarian aid to flood impacted residents.

When the floodwaters receded, the immediate need was human. Volunteers and guides from across the region mobilized to bring supplies, meals, and medical care to hard-hit communities like Poplar and beyond. Shelves were built to organize aid, veterinarians treated animals alongside doctors and nurses, and hot meals from World Central Kitchen fueled weary families.

At the same time, NORA’s founding members and partners were in the field—supporting search and rescue operations, stabilizing hazardous materials, and ensuring that dangerous flood debris did not spread further downstream. It was an all-hands-on-deck effort that proved the strength and spirit of the Nolichucky community.

Founding members of NORA escort the Kingsport Fire Department on a Hazardous Materials mitigation mission through the Nolichucky Gorge just days after the flood.

Protecting the River from Further Harm

As recovery shifted into the long haul, our work turned toward advocacy. We witnessed CSX conduct unauthorized riverbank excavation and railroad construction that threatened to worsen an already fragile river corridor. In Poplar, we saw firsthand the damage from an illegal quarry operation, and thanks to committed monitoring and reporting, the courts shut it down.

CSX contractors were unauthorized when removing 1000's of truckloads of riverbed and bank material. Without the dedication of NORA's leadership this work may have persisted throughout the entire Nolichucky Gorge.

These fights were not easy—but they showed the power of persistence. The Nolichucky now has more eyes watching, more voices speaking, and more advocates ready to step in when the river is at risk.

Challenges and New Beginnings

This past year also tested us in other ways. Despite tireless effort, the Forest Service denied designated river access for the 2025 season, delaying a full return to pre-Helene outfitting and guiding. But this setback gave rise to something bigger: the formation of the Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Association (NORA).

Outfitters on the Nolichucky were barred from any commercial operations for the 2025 season by the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest

What started as a crisis response network became a lasting organization with a mission—to restore the river, support outdoor livelihoods, and strengthen our community. Thanks to generous grants from the East Tennessee Foundation and partnerships with MountainTrue, the Nolichucky Restoration Project, American Whitewater, and many others, NORA pivoted into long-term environmental restoration and service.

Cleanup and Restoration: The Numbers

NORA cleanup crews have been working weekly since May to remove dangerous debris from the Nolichucky Watershed

The work speaks for itself. Over the past year:

• 60 cleanup events in Round One and 42 and counting in Round Two = over 100 cleanup missions completed

• Dozens of workers employed, creating much-needed jobs in our valley

• Hundreds of volunteers contributing thousands of hours

• Estimated debris removed: 103,225 lbs (Round One) + 123,550 lbs (Round Two) = over 200,000 lbs of waste and debris has been cleared from the Nolichucky corridor

  
  

Every pound pulled, every tire lifted, every piece of hazardous waste removed has brought us one step closer to a healthy river and a thriving community.

NORA supports our Partners, the Nolichucky Restoration Project with big volunteer cleanup days every month.

Looking Ahead: Hope on the Nolichucky

The future is bright. The After the Storm series of Riparian Restoration events continues this fall, with our next gathering scheduled for October 28th, 2025. Check our event page for more opportunities to get involved and make a difference—whether with NORA directly, with MountainTrue, or alongside the Nolichucky Restoration Project.

Nolichucky Outfitters are so excited to show off the new Nolichucky to our community and visitors alike!

Most exciting of all, commercial river operations are returning through designated and improved access points. Guides and outfitters will once again be able to share the wild beauty of the Nolichucky with visitors from across the country, helping to rebuild the outdoor economy that Hurricane Helene nearly washed away.

Gratitude and Resilience

NORA Chairman Trey Moore was able to express our deepest gratitude to Ashley Siferd Butler from the East Tennessee Foundation for their generous support of NORA and our mission to restore the Nolichucky to a healthy waterway for all to enjoy and stabilize our outdoor economy in a very impactful way.

None of this would be possible without the relentless commitment of our teams and the resilience of our Appalachian neighbors. From paddlers and guides to local leaders, landowners, and partner organizations—this has been a year of heavy lifting and healing, of turning devastation into opportunity.

As we step into the next chapter, we do so together. The Nolichucky is more than a river—it’s a lifeline, a teacher, and a gathering place. And as long as it flows, we’ll keep working to protect it, restore it, and reconnect our community to these wild and special places.