Montreat Minute – May 16, 2025

(Reprinted from a May 14 Special Montreat Minute)

Fellow Montreaters—

Ordinarily, I look forward to writing you about all things Montreat. But this time less so. First, the positive news.

As you know, after the Hurricane last September, our Town was devastated. All five bridges were impassable, mud slides severely affected roadways, more than 180 trees fell on Town rights-of-way, and countless more on private property. Over a dozen water culverts were destroyed. Our water system, like everyone else’s in WNC, was rendered inoperable. 13” of rain took a toll on all of our roads, collapsing surfaces and undermining edges. Streambanks, so critical to our beautiful Flat Creek, were devastated, creating even more mud slides. And much devastation.

But through it all, even well before the hurricane made landfall, your Public Works staff, Police department and Town office staff were preparing for the storm. During the storm, Public Works was endangering their lives clearing culverts, moving trees from live electrical lines, and other dangerous work to keep us safe. The Montreat Police officers endangered their lives knocking on doors telling residents to evacuate and doing welfare checks. It was heroic work, far above and beyond the call of duty.

For the last seven and a half months, those same staff have been assessing damage and prioritizing projects, repairing and restoring high priority projects, and working closely with FEMA representatives and a disaster assistance consultant. They have identified and grouped 68 storm projects with an estimate of nearly $12 million to restore. That is more than five times our annual budget. We have spent more than $800,000 on storm projects thus far and have not been reimbursed a penny yet. Those funds were used to:

• Repair our water system within two weeks of the storm, other municipalities were without water for two months or more.
• Pay overtime to staff and hire contractors to supplement our staff
• Bring all five bridges to passable standards
• Repair or replace culverts, protecting against further damage
• Undertake Flat Creek and tributary stream stabilization
• Remove hundreds of dump truck loads of trees and brush to clear our roads and pathways
• Repair some portion of the 17 miles of Montreat roads, stabilizing them until restoration can be done
• Restore the Town Hall to full operating condition
• And so much more

And now to my primary point. Many residents don’t seem to be satisfied with the work that has been done and/or the speed of progress. They have been contacting Town staff and Public Works Director Barry Creasman, even calling him on his personal cell phone. I ask you to please stop telephoning Barry. If you have a concern or criticism, please call me or any of the Commissioners. CLICK HERE for our telephone numbers. It really isn’t acceptable to criticize staff, as they have no control over the situation. The primary driving factor in completing many of these projects is financial– obtaining funds to purchase materials and pay contractors.

This damage happened overnight but will take years to be completely repaired. If you have something of a recent nature to report, please do so by reporting it to Town Hall staff at 828-669-8002 (not Barry) and they will contact our Public Works Department.

If you would like to see the list of projects we have submitted to FEMA, CLICK HERE.

For 128 years, Montreaters have come together to solve problems and make Montreat a better place. I know that with patience and working together, we will succeed once more.

Thank you,

Mayor Tim Helms

Council Considering Requiring Bear Proof Trash Containers

This article initiates a new periodic feature to keep you up to date on Town progress of hurricane restoration.

As of now, our understanding is that FEMA will reimburse the Town for all approved projects related to damage from Hurricane Helene. An extensive inventory of damage was done by Town staff and 68 projects were identified, with an estimate of nearly $12 million to repair and restore. Here are other facts:

• More than $800,000 has been spent by the Town for repairs and restoration since the hurricane on September 27.
• Those funds came from the Town’s General Fund (our savings account), several loans, and generous donations from residents and friends of $265,000.
• We have not received reimbursement on any funds expensed to date.
• We have submitted reimbursement requests to FEMA for this amount plus another $120,000 for projects currently in process or soon to be started.
• FEMA has approved payment on $300,000 of the requests, and we are awaiting reimbursement any day now. The remaining $620,000 will very likely be reimbursed and is currently in process.
• The $300,000 will be used, along with a $120,000 interest free loan from NC Emergency Management, to work on other storm projects.
• Those projects range in complexity and cost (see the list at LIST). Four projects alone are in excess of $5.7 million dollars for road, shoulder, and bank stabilization.
• Another large project is road repairs and repaving. The estimate for these repairs is $1.3 million.
• As a result, we are awaiting work to begin on these larger projects until FEMA reimbursement occurs so we have funds to move ahead.
• In the meantime, Public Works, along with some contractors, are working on “affordable” but high priority projects.

Recently the following projects were started and/or completed:

• Cleaning of stormwater pipes and drains by high pressure hydro hoses and vacuum. Tons of mud, silt, and stone were cleared to allow free flowing stormwater.
• Streambank stabilization on Flat Creek between Lookout Road and the dam. 100’ of stabilization is being done. More than 220 tons of stone were filled in behind the boulder wall at the toe of the creek bank. Compacted soil will be installed on top of the stone, Grass seed and trees will be planted to prevent erosion. This entire project is being done by our Public Works staff.
• New wooden guardrails will be installed along the Lookout Road bridge when the stabilization project is complete.

Thank you for your patience and financial support. We will keep you informed of our progress.

Updates and Reminders