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Segment 3, October 12th, 2024
We’ve heard the stories of disaster in regards to Helene. We’ve also heard about recovery & communities coming together to aid. Sara Bell founded Green River Adventures in 2006 & later added The Gorge Zipline to the portfolio of adventure & recreation in Saluda, NC. This community in Polk County, NC, was impacted by the rising water of the Green River & felled trees throughout.
Sara took time out of the recovery efforts, tree & debris covered roadways to speak with host Bill Bartee about the storm, the recovery, & the future of small business in Polk County.
Sara Bell
Show Highlights:
- The Green River Gorge is located south of Asheville, NC & north of Greenville, SC
- Its 18,000 acres of state game land along with a mix of private property & the Upper Green (Class III Whitewater), The Narrows (Class V Whitewater), and the Lower Green (Class I & less) makes up the river.
- A series of landslides collected the extreme amount of water, then swept it away blowing out the river, & sweeping homes, property, & more down the river
- Each day brings new hope from the initial despair. The Green River Adventures Outpost has acted as a community collection & recovery area
- NCDOT is working towards improving the roads which will allow for small business to recover
- Recovery now includes most power is restoration & rebuilding
- Polk County Community Foundation has four different funds with different areas to distribute: Immediate aid, Rebuilding/Construction, Green River Restoration, & the Pacolet Valley Restoration.
- Surprisingly The Gorge Zipline area didn’t take big hit physically. If transportation & roadways are improved they may be open this fall (2024). This is important for the support & success of a small business.
Things You’ll Learn by Listening:
Gifts are totally tax free & go completely to the recovery and support efforts. Bell is encouraged and optimistic regarding the opening of The Gorge Zipline this fall. Its success impacts the local community greatly.
The Carolina Outdoors is powered by local outdoor outfitter in Charlotte. Many of the fly fishing guided trips that originate at Jesse Brown’s utilize the lower section of the Green River (NC) as a destination. Jesse Brown’s is also the home to great brands items such as: Tundra 45 YETI, Turtlebox Speakers, & a pair of Duckhead pants from the Charlotte fly shop Jesse Brown’s.
Noted in Prior Segments:
North Carolina State Parks Closures
due to Helene
- State Parks west of I-77
- National Park Service – Blue Ridge Parkway
- National Park Service – Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Forests
Safety and Emergency Information
- ReadyNC.gov
- DriveNC.gov (road closures)
- NC Emergency Management: Facebook | Instagram
- NCWRC: Potential for increased human-bear conflicts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene
- NCFS: Following Hurricane Helene, NC Forest Service urging the public to be careful and responsible with outdoor fire
Please Support small businesses whenever you can. This helps weather the fiscal impact of the storm and its after-affect.