It’s been just under one month since Hurricane Helene killed more than 230 people across six states in the southern U.S. Nearly half of those deaths — 96, according to officials — occurred in North Carolina, where clean-up efforts are still underway.
While the physical effects will be felt for months, the economic damage on the area could be felt for years. September and October have historically been the highest revenue months for businesses in Buncombe County, where Asheville is located.
In 2023, visitors spent $2.97 billion in the county, according to the Explore Asheville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. That number made up a fifth of its annual revenue — about twice the national average…