By Phillip Gibson, French Broad Riverkeeper, RiverLink

Hurricanes Frances and Ivan visited western North Carolina in September 2004. During their stay, these natural disasters demonstrated how wind and rain can transform a community into a zone of destruction. As a result, Gov. Easley and President Bush declared 16 counties western North Carolina counties a federal disaster area.

During Sept. 7-8, 2004, Hurricane Frances delivered 12 inches of rain to western North Carolina. Some areas, such as Black Mountain, reported levels up to 17 inches. Ten days later Ivan dumped an additional 10+ inches. These two weather events alone made September 2004 the wettest month ever at the Asheville airport and for the state of North Carolina. The National Weather Service reported that Mount Mitchell received 46.6 inches of rain - a level that an official at the National Weather Service said can be found in a tropical rainforest. The previous record, set in 1916 at Linville Gorge, was 37.4 inches.

The winds and rain proved to be more than simply record-breakers. Combined with a number of other triggers, they resulted in massive flooding. Trees were uprooted and commercial and residential buildings were lost due not only to flooding, but also contamination from sewage overflows and toxins. In the French Broad River watershed, more than 100,000 gallons of petroleum products spilled into the river system. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that the long-term ecological impacts are unknown at this time.

Landslides also occurred. The N.C. Geological Survey reported 28 slope movements attributed to Hurricane Frances and 45 attributed to Hurricane Ivan. The Peeks Creek landslide in Macon County claimed five lives. The debris from this slide flowed at 33 miles per hour – 45,000 cubic feet per second. With 11 lives claimed, Ivan was reported to be the deadliest western North Carolina storm since 1916 when 29 people lost their lives.

The economic impacts to the region have not been tallied, but the financial implications have been both direct and indirect. The hurricanes could not have happened at a worse time - tourist season. Businesses were not only flooded, but their economic recovery may be strained from a negative perception. Buncombe County alone reported that damages could exceed $200 million. The Regional Water Authority assessed repairs to its water lines at approximately $1.25 million. Homes were destroyed and FEMA is still assessing applications for assistance.

The toll of these two hurricanes was monumental.
Nonetheless, these hurricanes have also revealed opportunities. The N.C. Floodplain Mapping Program had been inadequately funded to complete its statewide initiative, so many counties in western North Carolina had maps more than 20 years old. Specific land uses and businesses in the floodplain have now been shown to be vulnerable and incompatible with the river system (such as petroleum refineries). Additionally, the N.C. Geological Survey data has shown for land use planning that would incorporate knowledge of land that are vulnerable to landslides. Following Hurricane Floyd, the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research issued a number of recommendations that would help minimize future losses from similar events. RiverLink (link to http://www.riverlink.org), a regional nonprofit in Asheville, has assessed these recommendations, such as statewide updates for floodplain mapping, and is working with regional leadership to fulfill them. RiverLink is also working with federal, state and local leadership to create a regional report on the events and implications of Frances and Ivan.