Posted on April 16, 2025
LAKE LURE, N.C. — Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, deputy commanding general for Civil and Emergency Operations, will be available to provide updates and answer questions about the debris removal efforts in and around Lake Lure and across the 16 counties requesting assistance. Col. Brad A. Morgan, USACE Wilmington District commander and the lead for the North Carolina debris cleanup mission, will also be available for interviews. Additionally, the Mayors of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock will be in the area for comment on the progress of the recovery mission (tentative). Media will have the opportunity to have access debris removal sites, hear directly from leadership, and capture visuals of the ongoing recovery work.
WHAT: Access to senior USACE leadership and restricted debris removal sites, along with an overview of the Corps’ debris removal mission in and around Lake Lure and other western North Carolina waterways.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Lake Lure Welcome Center
2932 Memorial Hwy
Lake Lure, NC 28746
WHO: Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, USACE deputy commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations
Col. Brad A. Morgan, USACE Wilmington District Commander
Mayors of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock (tentative availability for comment)
WHY: USACE has completed virtually all of its assigned Right of Way mission, accounting for more than 1.99 million cubic yards of debris removal – equivalent to nearly 46,000 shipping containers. USACE continues to meet the significant logistical challenges of mobilizing heavy equipment in rugged, remote terrain to help with western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.
Background:
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastating landfall, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mobilized quickly to support the federal response and recovery mission in Western North Carolina. The storm caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage across a 20-county region, prompting FEMA to activate USACE under the National Response Framework. Tasked with removing debris, stabilizing water systems, and supporting long-term recovery, USACE brought in specialized teams and contractors to navigate the region’s rugged terrain and environmentally sensitive areas.
Since the mission began, USACE crews have removed millions of cubic yards of vegetative and construction debris from waterways, roadsides, and public lands, often using low-impact equipment to minimize harm to habitats and watersheds. In addition to debris operations, engineers have worked alongside local officials to restore access to critical infrastructure and help communities assess flood-damaged areas. Throughout the recovery, the Corps has remained committed to environmental stewardship, using biodegradable hydraulic fluids, pre-approved staging areas, and best management practices to protect the natural resources of the Appalachian region.
RSVP and Media Contact:
For more information, early access to sites, or to RSVP to interview Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly and/or Col. Brad A. Morgan, please contact:
Bobby Petty
Hurricane Helene Response Public Affairs (Asheville)
📞 (817) 564-5872
📧 Bobby.N.Petty@usace.army.mil
B-roll of USACE debris removal:
• Cane Creek debris removal in Buncombe Co. (Apr. 12, 1:30): https://dvidshub.net/r/dtz6kd
• Old Fort Debris Management (Apr. 9, 5:47): https://dvidshub.net/r/vgdgdy
• Bear Creek (Apr. 8, 7:03): https://dvidshub.net/r/u6bvm5
Photos:
• Debris removal (general): https://www.dvidshub.net/tags/image/debris-removal
• Bear Creek: https://dvidshub.net/r/u6bvm5
• Dutch Creek: https://dvidshub.net/r/l3b2hu
• Behind the scenes of Hurricane Helene cleanup: https://dvidshub.net/r/6p965j
USACE Helene Recovery social media:
https://www.dvidshub.net/tags/image/helene24
https://www.facebook.com/USACE.Wilmington
https://www.linkedin.com/company/usacewilmington/
https://www.instagram.com/usace_wilmington/
Lake Lure:
Storm Recovery Updates: https://www.townoflakelure.com/community/page/lake-lure-storm-recovery-updates-and-more-41325
Facebook: www.facebook.com/townoflakelure
