Free Consultation
(800) 411-1583
We collected $5.1 million for the benefit of our client who suffered Traumatic Brain Injury and other injuries...
We secured a settlement of $2.1 million from the driver who crossed the center-line and struck our client...
Contested case where our client struck cargo that was not securely fastened to a flatbed trailer...
Our client was riding his motorcycle back from the Blue Ridge Parkway when an approaching driver...
Full recovery of all damages sought by our client who was struck by a drunk driver. Due to pre-existing...
Client’s husband called after nearly accepting the at-fault driver's policy limits of $100,000.00, believing ...
Pedestrian struck in the parking lot of a car wash and incident resulted in traumatic brain injury for elderly...
Client suffered two broken legs in an intersection collision caused by driver who disregarded a posted stop...
Victims of drunk drivers need protection! Drunk drivers case many fatal accidents and serious injuries in North Carolina. Our firm ONLY hanldes motor vehicle accident cases, and our focus is on serious collisions and significant injuries. Carl Nagle is a former claims adjuster and former insurance company lawyer, and we also have two retired NC State Troopers who work with our firm to investigate crashes, follow drunk driving criminal charges, and pursue maximum payment for injury claims and punitive damages when drunk drivers injure our clients.
We have had multiple high-value cases involving drunk drivers. We have collected punitive damages to punish highly intoxicated drivers. Our sole focus on crash-related injury cases gives us the medical and law-enforcement experience needed to prove your injury case and to investigate the collision and hold the drunk driver accountable. We also offer the lowest legal fee of all North Carolina injury law firms. Our fee is 25% of settlement, while other firms charge 33.3%. We are here now to protect and enforce your legal rights.
You drive responsibly and follow the rules of the road to protect your fellow motorists. But are other drivers doing the same to protect you?
According to the CDC, over 10,000 people lose their lives on American highways and roads due to alcohol-related accidents every year. That averages out to 29 fatalities each day, or roughly one every 50 minutes. In North Carolina, about one-third of all traffic deaths are associated with alcohol-impaired drivers. While DUI injuries and fatalities are declining, causing one injury or killing one person due to negligence is one too many.
Most people understand that it's wrong to drive after drinking - even after one or two drinks. Despite that knowledge, thousands of otherwise responsible motorists have no problem cranking their cars and driving home after drinking. While they may not intend to hurt anyone, this dangerous choice leads to countless injuries and fatalities each year, profoundly affecting the lives of both the victims and the intoxicated drivers, as well as their families.
At Nagle and Associates, we're dedicated to holding drunk drivers accountable for their actions and the pain and suffering they cause their victims. Our drunk driving accident attorneys in Asheville, NC focus solely on representing those injured in such accidents - not those who choose to drive while drunk.
It doesn't take a graduate from AshevilleBuncombe Technical Community College near Asheville, NC to know that DUI accidents are both frightening and damaging. One minute, you're driving home from work, thinking about what you and your family will have for dinner. Then, out of nowhere, an intoxicated driver sideswipes you on the highway, forcing you out of control into a ditch. Your car is totaled, your body hurts, and now, your life is forever changed.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an alcohol-related traffic accident, we're here to help. We recognize that this is an incredibly stressful time—one where you'd rather focus on your health and family's peace of mind instead of handling court paperwork, gathering witness statements, and dealing with police, insurance adjusters, insurance lawyers and judges. That's exactly where our extensive experience pursuing drunk drivers comes into play. We've represented DUI victims in a number of different cases, some of which involve:
Our experienced DUI litigators have the knowledge and connections to secure the financial compensation you need for all past and future medical bills and lost wages. We also know how to investigate the collision, assemble your medical evidence, validate your threat of litigation, and compel the insurance companies to pay the highest tax-free settlement for your injury claims. When you work with a drunk driving accident attorney in Asheville, NC from Nagle & Associates, you have the best shot at securing a generous lump-sum payment for your financial losses, and for your pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Simply put, Carl Nagle and our team of trial lawyers focus exclusively on roadway cases like DUI/DWI accidents. We've obtained millions of dollars for victims just like you, who are forced to suffer due to someone else's extremely dangerous and careless actions. Like Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site in Asheville, NC, you can count on us to be there and stand strong when you need us most. Insurance companies cannot dissuade us, and their adjusters and lawyers will not diminish your legal rights!
Additional reasons to consider our drunk driving accident law firm include:
Wondering whether you qualify for financial help after being hit by a drunk driver? Contact Nagle & Associates today so that we can strategize on how to proceed with your case. Your first consultation is always free.
Here's a sad fact that may open your eyes: The Tar Heel State has some of the highest rates of DUI accidents in the entire country. According to data provided by the North Carolina DMV, over 11,000 people were arrested for DUI in 2019 alone. Tragically, in the same year, 348 people were killed in drunk driving accidents. 75% of the drivers in those fatal crashes had been charged with DUI before. To help prevent and reduce car wrecks caused by impaired drivers, North Carolina implements strict drunk driving penalties and laws.
In North Carolina, the law establishes that a driver is considered impaired if they are at least 21 years old and have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding .08. For those operating commercial vehicles, like taxicabs or trucks, the legal BAC limit is lowered to .04. Additionally, there is a strict zero-tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21. It's also illegal under North Carolina law to drive with any detectable amount of a Schedule I controlled substance in your bloodstream.
Another aspect of law to consider is the North Carolina Exemplary Damages Act. This law permits victims of "willful and wanton conduct" to seek extra financial damages, commonly referred to as punitive damages. However, the laws surrounding punitive damages in North Carolina are fairly restrictive, with many judges looking for multiple DWI offenses before allowing such claims. As a result, your drunk driving accident lawyer from Nagle & Associates will examine the criminal history of impaired drivers along with other wrongful actions to strengthen our case for additional punitive damages.
In short, yes, having a seasoned North Carolina drunk driving accident injury lawyer by your side helps your case immensely. At Nagle & Associates, we're passionate about protecting your rights and take every step necessary to enforce those rights and pursue maximum payment from the drunk driver, their insurance carrier and any other parties who share liability for your injuries and damages:
If you've been involved in an accident, you might be recovering from your injuries in Arbor Terrace Asheville in Asheville, NC, dealing with lost wages, overwhelming medical bills, vehicle repair costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and a complex maze of insurance claims. During this challenging time, it's reassuring to know that someone is dedicated to fighting for your rights and seeking the justice you deserve.
When you're involved in a drunk driving accident, there's a good chance you'll get a phone call from an insurance adjuster very soon after the accident. Carl Nagle is a former adjuster, and he cautions you that "insurance adjusters are trained to be diplomatic, to earn your trust so you will cooperate with their efforts to underpay your claims". The friendly adjuster is the most dangerous adjuster - they are being paid to oppose your claims, yet they are willing to appear to be friendly and helpful when you are dealing with serious injuries and frightening financial circumstances. Please remember, North Carolina insurance adjusters who handle your claims against the drunk driver who caused your accident have one goal: to minimize the amount of money the insurance company must pay you.
Making a statement or accepting an early settlement offer without first talking to a drunk driving accident attorney in Asheville, NC can lead to significant consequences and a loss of valuable legal rights. Insurance adjusters are skilled at eliciting statements or admissions of guilt that can be used to diminish the value of your claim. That's why it's so important to consult with an attorney before interacting with any insurance claims adjuster. You should also be wary of insurance adjusters because North Carolina follows the Pure Contributory Negligence rule. If an insurance adjuster can claim that you played a role in causing the accident or your injuries, they might attempt to deny your claim entirely.
Fortunately, our strict negligence law does have an exception that applies in cases caused by drunk drivers. In a typical crash case, if you are slightly at fault for the accident, you have no right to present claims or collect for car damage or injury claims. If you are just 1% at fault, you get nothing for your accident claims. However, if a drunk driver is guilty of "gross negligence", the Pure Contributory Negligence rule does not apply. Our legal team can help you win if the insurance company tries to blame you for an accident involving a drunk driver.
We strongly recommend speaking with a DUI accident lawyer before you being cooperating and working with any insurance adjusters or claims representatives. Nagle & Associates' attorneys can guide you through the legal intricacies of filing a claim in North Carolina, ensuring that you fully understand the insurance claim process. We want you to be aware of your legal rights and options.
In general, the compensation you could receive for damages in an accident claim against a drunk driver is similar to what you might recover in other car accident claims. The amount of compensation you receive is tied to the specific losses you've sustained. If you have been hit and injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
In a fatal injury and wrongful death claim, the surviving family members are eligible for compensation for the income and benefits that the deceased would have provided. Family members may also seek damages for loss of companionship and for expenses related to household services. The deceased person's estate should also be entitled to recover costs related to medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, as well as compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before passing away.
As we mentioned earlier, you may be able to recover punitive damages in addition to other forms of compensation. If your drunk driving accident attorney in Asheville, NC provides evidence indicating that the defendant acted in a wanton, willful, or malicious manner, the court may decide to award you and your family punitive damages to penalize the responsible party.
In North Carolina, punitive damages are generally capped at $250,000 or three times the total amount of other damages awarded in your case—whichever amount is greater. However, there is one notable exception to this rule for claims related to drunk driving accidents. If the at-fault driver was impaired at the time of the accident, there is no limit on the punitive damages that can be awarded. It is also noteworthy that if you secure a large verdict against a drunk driver who caused you to be injured, he/she cannot file a bankruptcy and discharge your verdict. Thus, you can pursue collection against the drunk driver's assets for decades after bringing them to trial.
Like the trees and pathways in Carrier Park near Asheville, evidence serves as a crucial foundation of any drunk driving case. If you're able to do so safely after your accident, capture photographs of the scene, the vehicles involved, and your injuries. This task is easier than it used to be since most of us have smartphones in our pockets.
Try to photograph important details like license plates, vehicle registration, driver's licenses, damage to the vehicles, skid marks, street signs, and more. You can never take too many images at the scene. It's also fine to record a video of the scene and recount what happened. The more you document, the stronger your lawyer's case will be. Be sure to keep track of any personal belongings that were damaged in the incident. This evidence can be integral in illustrating the circumstances and impact of your accident.
In drunk driving cases, our legal team also goes to court in the county where the crash occurred to request Axon/Officer Body Camera footage taken at the crash scene. In most cases, we are able to collect and use this footage. Often their cameras collect footage of the drunk driver slurring their speech, taking field sobriety tests, and showing their level of impairment and carelessness.
Accidents caused by drunk drivers happen when you least expect them. They don't always happen late at night. You could be driving home Saturday morning after eating at Bouchon in Asheville, NC and get hit by someone who is intoxicated. The suddenness and severity of these car wrecks cause lasting damage, which you should be compensated for accordingly.
The most common way to seek compensation for personal injury or wrongful death resulting from a drunk driving accident is to file a claim against the intoxicated driver. It's important to note that your accident claim is separate from any criminal charges the driver may face. Moreover, you don't have to wait for a criminal charge or conviction to pursue a claim. However, holding the drunk driver accountable may not be your only legal option. To get the full amount of compensation you deserve, all potentially liable parties should be examined. A skilled drunk driving accident attorney in Asheville, NC can investigate the situation on your behalf and guide you through your available options.
You might not need to go to court to seek compensation after a drunk driving accident. Typically, the first step is to file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company. The insurance provider may try to dispute their liability by arguing that the driver they insured intentionally engaged in reckless behavior by drinking and driving. If this situation arises, your attorney can step in to negotiate on your behalf or, if necessary, file a lawsuit against both the driver and the insurance company.
It may be hard to believe that someone could be under the influence when driving a truck or other large commercial vehicle. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol use among commercial drivers remains a significant issue. Both the driver and their employer can be held liable for accidents caused by impairment. A seasoned attorney can look into the situation to find out if the trucking company neglected to conduct sufficient pre-employment screenings, failed to test drivers for drugs and alcohol, or otherwise acted negligently, leading to the accident.
Dram shop laws hold businesses that sell alcohol accountable for the actions of customers who have been overserved. In North Carolina, these laws also apply to social hosts—private individuals who offer alcohol to their guests—under specific conditions.
Bars, restaurants, and similar establishments can be found liable if they serve alcohol to a customer under the age of 21 in a negligent manner, and that customer subsequently drives drunk and causes an accident. Additionally, businesses are prohibited from serving alcohol to anyone, regardless of age, who appears visibly intoxicated, as this is generally considered negligent service. However, it's important to note that if the overserved customer is 21 or older, the establishment is not held liable in the event of a drunk driving accident.
As a practical matter, you should know that successful host/dram shop cases are rare. We collected a mutli-million dollar settlement on behalf of a grocery store manager who was struck by a drunk driver in Asheville, NC. In that case, the popular restaurant chain served 9 drinks to the drunk driver in just 36 minutes. They then called police on the belligerent drinker, and he fled quickly and caused the collision. The drunk driver's high level of impairment was the key. Drivers must be extremely impaired in these cases, as the host/server has to be aware that the drinker is intoxicated and should not be served. We offer this insight simply to help you plan your legal case. Not every case is a host/dram shop case. However, in extreme impairment cases, steps should be taken immediately to determine where the drunk driver was drinking before the collision occurred.
The laws concerning drunk driving accidents in North Carolina are complex. Determining who is liable, accurately assessing your losses, and pursuing one or more claims for damages can be difficult. Without exceptional legal representation, you might not receive a settlement that reflects what you would collect through a successful trial against the impaired driver who caused your injuries.
However, with Nagle & Associates by your side, you'll have aggressive lawyers, retired State Troopers, experienced medical analysts, and knowledgeable support staff ready to protect and enforce your legal rights. As our client, you will receive individualized attention, empathetic support, and a committed effort to win your case. Most of our cases settle, but we want to settle on your terms - not the discounted terms the insurance company hopes you accept. Call us now for a free consultation by telephone, and we can decide together if you would benefit from our representation. If you need our help, we can begin working for you today.
With a storm headed toward Western North Carolina, many residents may be remembering the destructive effects Tropical Storm Helene had on the region in late September.The good news, according to the National Weather Service, is that while the storm will certainly sweep through Asheville and the WNC region, it will be nowhere near the scale of Helene.Here's what meteorologists said.Hazardous weather outlook in Asheville, WNCA weather alert issued by the NWS at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, warned tha...
With a storm headed toward Western North Carolina, many residents may be remembering the destructive effects Tropical Storm Helene had on the region in late September.
The good news, according to the National Weather Service, is that while the storm will certainly sweep through Asheville and the WNC region, it will be nowhere near the scale of Helene.
Here's what meteorologists said.
A weather alert issued by the NWS at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, warned that a storm system is moving into the area with multiple rounds of showers and possible thunderstorms. Locally excessive rainfall from heavy showers moving over the same locations may result in isolated flooding.
While gusty winds are a possibility, these conditions are most likely after the storm has passed on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
More:Asheville-area water lead test results are in for 159 private homes: What to know
The NWS expects Asheville to see roughly 1.5 inches of rain from the storm, according to NWS Meteorologist Chris Horne. Amounts will vary across nearby areas, with potentially closer to 2.25-2.5 inches toward Skyland and Fletcher, and 2.5 inches near Fairview and Bat Cave.
"Across Buncombe County in general, there's going to be kind of a gradient," Horne said. "It's going to bring more in the South, like towards the airport and east toward Fairview area and Swannanoa, but less the further northwest you get in the county, like up toward Canto or Weaverville."
Luckily for WNC, no serious flooding is expected due to the incoming storm. Some isolated flooding is possible, as indicated by the hazardous weather outlook, but Horne said that river overflow shouldn't be an issue.
"There's certainly going to be some kind of concern about flooding of low-lying areas," Horne said. "Right now, our French Broad and Swannanoa river forecasts are for it to remain below flood stage. So, you know, there's going to be areas of high water, perhaps some drainage issues here and there, but you know, nowhere even near the magnitude of what happened two and a half months ago."
Landslides aren't an NWS area of expertise. However, Horne was able to say that, while the amount of rain the region will see isn't generally enough to cause concern, areas already weakened by Helene should be monitored.
"Any kind of heavy rain can disturb already-disturbed soil, even though the magnitude of rain is typically far less than what we would expect for any landslides that occur," Horne said. "But just off the top of my head, given the past history of all the numerous landslides, I bet you there's going to be a little more susceptibility for them to kind of move again."
There were over 2,000 landslides in the WNC region caused by Helene and the storm's predecessor rainfall event.
After tonight, Dec. 10, the hazardous weather outlook issued by the NWS will end. Any showers on Wednesday, Dec. 11, are forecast to occur mainly before 9 a.m., with some patchy fog before noon.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
You’re reading Mountain Updates, a free pop-up newsletter from The Charlotte Ledger examining the crisis and recovery in the N.C. mountains. Ledger subscribers can add Mountain Updates on their “My Account” page.Sign up for free:...
You’re reading Mountain Updates, a free pop-up newsletter from The Charlotte Ledger examining the crisis and recovery in the N.C. mountains. Ledger subscribers can add Mountain Updates on their “My Account” page.
Sign up for free:
Last week, The Ledger shared a shopping guide to Western North Carolina businesses during this holiday season. (If you’re looking for unique gifts that double as support for the mountain economy, check it out here.)
There’s also the “Potters Market” happening Dec. 14 in Charlotte at the Park Expo and Conference Center. Handcrafted pottery from more than 30 Western North Carolina artists will be for sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sounds like the perfect place to shop for a gift and support local artists affected by the storm.
This season, I’ve also been thinking about the children who have been affected or displaced by Tropical Storm Helene. Hundreds of families lost so much, and this holiday might look different for many.
Christmas is just a few weeks away, so some initiatives have already closed their windows for donations, but I’ve rounded up a few ways you can still help families fill their kids’ stockings and provide gifts under the tree:
Here are the latest updates from Western North Carolina:
Lindsey Banks, a native of the Buncombe County town of Swannanoa, is a staff reporter with The Charlotte Ledger. Reach her at [email protected].
Many organizations have deployed groups across the region, tasked with distributing food, water and supplies. You can donate to their efforts at the links below.
Need to sign up for this e-newsletter? We offer a free version, as well as paid memberships for full access to all of our local newsletters:
➡️ Opt in or out of different newsletters on your “My Account” page.
➡️ Learn more about The Charlotte Ledger
The Charlotte Ledger is a locally owned media company that delivers smart and essential news through e-newsletters and on a website. We strive for fairness and accuracy and will correct all known errors. The content reflects the independent editorial judgment of The Charlotte Ledger. Any advertising, paid marketing, or sponsored content will be clearly labeled.
Like what we are doing? Feel free to forward this along and to tell a friend.
Social media: On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Sponsorship information/customer service: email [email protected].
Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman
READ MOREHurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer about Hurricane Helene and the aftermath, particularly in Western North Carolina.Expand AllAfter Helene’s rains struck, Thomas Whiteside and his grandson watched a creek near their Black Mountain house rise hundreds of feet in minutes. Had they waited to evacuate, they would have been trapped inside when water rea...
Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer about Hurricane Helene and the aftermath, particularly in Western North Carolina.
After Helene’s rains struck, Thomas Whiteside and his grandson watched a creek near their Black Mountain house rise hundreds of feet in minutes. Had they waited to evacuate, they would have been trapped inside when water reached the windows.
Weeks later, Whiteside received a free, temporary shelter on his property from Cabins 4 Christ, a group created to help some of the many people made homeless by Helene. This past week, he received even more news: The group will rebuild his roof for him, free of charge.
In his 51 years of living in Black Mountain, Whiteside never expected a storm as bad as Helene, he said. He also didn’t expect the community’s response to the damage to be so strong.
“I’m 67 years old. I’ve been retired for 20 years, medically retired, and sometimes you just feel like you don’t get the help you need. But during this mess, honey, I’ve got more help than I can shake a stick at,” he said.
Helene’s floods and mudslides damaged at least 100,000 homes in Western North Carolina, according to a state count. As of this week, FEMA has committed over $52 million in displacement assistance and more than 5,300 families are currently checked into hotels.
The momentous task of repairing and rebuilding could take years as owners navigate government aid, securing insurance payouts, obtaining building permits and the rest.
Seeing this reality, many nonprofits stepped in to help, with everything from knocking on doors to offering free, immediate repairs to driving caravans of campers to hard-hit areas where displaced residents have been living in tents.
Devin Taylor is the founder of Campers Care, a disaster-relief ministry based in Virginia. He and his wife Julie started Cabins 4 Christ to provide temporary shelter in the wake of Helene’s devastation.
The group’s mini homes are 8 x 16 foot shed-like structures. They have no running water, no kitchen and no electricity, but come stocked with a composting toilet, storage space, supplies like water and a small cooking stove, a mattress and occasionally solar panels, Taylor said.
The sheds also have insulation and an extra layer of plywood to keep them warmer, he said, and both individuals and families continue to sleep in them as winter nears.
The group routinely checks on people given the cabins to ensure they have enough supplies including propane for cooking and heat, blankets and food.
“We don’t just give them something and say, ‘Here you go, sink or swim,’” Taylor said. “We actually have a team of people that go back out and check on their needs, especially the elderly this time of year.”
Whiteside was the first to receive a cabin from Cabins 4 Christ, but the group has homed 141 families or individuals in over 90 cabins built by the group and in donated campers and trailers it received, Taylor said.
The group usually draws around 100 to 125 volunteers a day to Camp Cedar Cliff outside Asheville to build the cabins, manage donations, and repair homes in the area, he said.
On Nov. 25, volunteers from across the country, some individuals and others whole families with children, worked on the grounds of the Christian-oriented camp’s welcome pavilion, which now looks more like a construction site than camp site.
People drove from Colorado to donate a camper and from Texas to help cook for volunteers. Some materials have been driven in from as far away as New Mexico, he said.
“Some stay a day or two, some stay longer,” Taylor said. “I’ve got people here that’ve been here since day one, from as far away as California, and sleeping in their cars.”
Each morning starts with a huddle where volunteers receive hot food and beverages before they get to work hammering, sorting donations, delivering cabins or traveling to nearby homes to make repairs.
Whiteside, whose home was too badly damaged to reoccupy, was connected to Cabins 4 Christ by his daughter, who suggested he reach out and ask for help.
He lived in his cabin for around a month before he received a Nomad camper trailer with a bathroom, furnace and bed gifted by another group in early November. He still likes to sleep in the cabin, in a recliner that helps his back pain.
The cabin is a “Godsend,” Whiteside said. It has allowed him to stay on his property and keep watch of his car and damaged home. Most importantly, it was a safe roof over his head.
Once his roof is repaired and his home is safe to move back into, his older sister who also lost her home to floods in Swannanoa will move in with him.
“The Lord is opening his doors, and the Lord’s inviting anybody to walk in who wants to, and Devin is standing there right now with him holding the door,” he said.
Helene’s destruction took down cell phone service across western North Carolina counties hit hard by the historic storm. Shortly after that, FEMA staff flew to Camp Cedar Cliff via helicopter and set up a temporary communications tower to help with rescue efforts, said camp director Tim Brady.
The portable tower trailer had a 40-foot tall extending antenna and was up for three days, he said.
After that, the camp hosted 200 Duke Energy lineworkers in cabins while they worked to restore power in hard-hit Asheville and the Swannanoa Valley.
The camp was damaged by the storm, Brady said, but surrounding areas were hit much worse, he eventually saw.
“The whole time I was thinking, ‘this is awful, we’ve been hit so hard. You know, what a story this is going to be to tell people how bad this was,’” he said. “When we finally got to the front gate and were able to get a vehicle out of camp, we realized we were blessed because of the loss of life right outside of our gate.”
A human resources director from Buncombe County Public Schools called Brady in mid-October, he said, and asked if the camp would be willing to host a new organization called Cabins 4 Christ. It needed a place to build cabins for 30 teachers.
From there, they just kept building.
As the need for emergency housing wanes, Cabins 4 Christ is pivoting to helping people repair and rebuild their permanent residences, Taylor said.
During Thanksgiving week, Cabins 4 Christ volunteers were dispatched not far down Old U.S. Highway 70 in Swannanoa to the home of a woman expected to give birth on Dec. 5.
One volunteer was Michael Barry-Rec, a builder from Virginia there to help Cabins 4 Christ for a week.
The homeowner was pregnant and stuck in the home when it flooded up to the window, Barry-Rec said. The group was hustling to have her house livable by the time the baby comes.
“The devastation breaks my heart, but the people that have risen and have come down to help offsets that despair. It really is something to be part of and witness,” he said.
But the work isn’t always easy or free of complications. Relying on donations means that construction materials may not be compliant with building codes and regulations. In one case volunteers couldn’t use donated insulation for a home that didn’t have insulation before Helene because it wasn’t the right grade.
With so much demand, it takes time to land needed inspections while trying to get people back into their homes as quickly as possible, especially because some families resorted living in tents after the storm.
One reason Cabins 4 Christ hasn’t installed electricity or plumbing in its sheds is because it would be too difficult to comply with state building codes, Taylor said.
“We build them the way that we do so that we could be good partners, not only with our ministry partners, but also good partners with our local government,” he said.
Despite so many challenges, it’s been inspiring to see the community come together and help each other amid tragedy, Brady said. He’s especially proud of religious groups.
“It’s too soon to say, ‘here’s the silver linings,’ because there’s no silver linings in clear view yet,” he said, yet: “Churches and the faith-based organizations like ourselves… have just shut down and said there’s nothing more important than meeting the needs of our community.”
This story was originally published December 4, 2024, 5:30 AM.
December 10, 2024 6:00 AM
If you are planning a festive day trip, then Christmas in Asheville, NC will check off all the boxes on your itinerary. Asheville, North Carolina offers a variety of things to do for the holidays, from Christmas lights to gingerbread houses, holiday shopping, parades, and more.We’ve got a list of kid-friendly holiday events to do in Asheville, NC, and all the details you’ll need to plan your visit.Christmas in Asheville, NCAsheville is still recovering from the massive damage wrecked b...
If you are planning a festive day trip, then Christmas in Asheville, NC will check off all the boxes on your itinerary. Asheville, North Carolina offers a variety of things to do for the holidays, from Christmas lights to gingerbread houses, holiday shopping, parades, and more.
We’ve got a list of kid-friendly holiday events to do in Asheville, NC, and all the details you’ll need to plan your visit.
Asheville is still recovering from the massive damage wrecked by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Many places are opening back, which means Christmas is a great time to support local businesses there and help them get back on their feet.
I never need much of a reason to visit Asheville. I love the view of the mountains in the background while walking around downtown. There is always live music by musicians outside and all the shops welcome you with a smile. There are a variety of different restaurants and historical landmarks to visit within walking distance or just a small drive away.
Plus, with the gorgeous backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, maybe you’re family will get a magical snowy adventure while you celebrate the holiday season in Asheville.
If you’re looking for Asheville, NC things to do, Christmas is one of the best times to find them!
Get in the holiday spirit by joining the Holiday Jamboree in Downtown Asheville. Everyone gathers together to welcome the beginning of the holiday season.
The Asheville Holiday JamboreeNovember 23rd, 2024 | 11 AM to 5 PMInstead of a parade this year, Asheville will host a Holiday Jamboree with music, a holiday market, and Santa photos.
The Grove Arcade Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony is the place to be the weekend after Thanksgiving. You can also explore the decorated Christmas trees throughout December at the Monte Vista Hotel.
While the National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn is not happening for 2024, the Sugar & Spice Stroll is! The sugary houses will be on display at several local businesses, which you can see on this map.
Of course, one of the most popular places in Asheville to visit during the holidays is the Biltmore House. Known for its elegant displays of holiday decor, infamous Candlelight Tours, and a multitude of festivities, Christmas at the Biltmore is a must.
You’ll find over 55 Christmas trees throughout the grounds and a variety of activities for kids such as crafts and carriage rides. Nothing says Christmas like a magical carriage ride. They even have an entire greenhouse full of poinsettia plants and Antler Hill Village is illuminated with trees lined with lights.
Most of the restaurants offer a children’s menu, such as the Bistro (Farm-to-table fare), and Deerpark Restaurant (a southern-inspired buffet).
When it comes to visiting Asheville for the holidays, you can’t leave without experiencing the Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum. This magical event features over half a million LED lights and walks you through stunning gardens and unique landscapes. This event is great for the entire family – there’s even have a hot cocoa shack.
The annual Lake Julian Festival of Lights is at Lake Julian Park and is a quicker drive-through light display that benefits the Buncombe County Special Olympics. Lights include animated and stationary light displays. Tickets are $10 – $50 per car/bus. Walk through lights are December 1st-2nd from 6-8 pm is $5/person. The drive through lights are December 3rd-23rd. Address is 406 Overlook Road Ext., Arden, NC 28704.
Does your family want to chop down your own tree this year? Asheville has a variety of tree farms!
The Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm is known for its gorgeous rolling hills of Christmas trees. Trees are not the only things available at the farm, they also sell fresh wreaths, roping, and tree stand. It’s located at the foot of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains near Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska and you can even stay the night in one of their cabins (dogs are welcome as long as they’re on a leash).
Please check with the farm before you head out to make sure they are open and have trees available. Most are only open on select days.
If you’ve lived in the mountains of western North Carolina, you notice a pattern: Tell someone from outside the region where you’re from, and their immediate reaction is, “Oh, that’s a beautiful city/region/part of the state.” Do we get tired of hearing it? Maybe a little, but certainly not because it’s untrue — it is beautiful out here, and I for one feel spoiled around this time of year to have the fall colors on the mountains as part of my daily scenery.In the past few weeks, you&r...
If you’ve lived in the mountains of western North Carolina, you notice a pattern: Tell someone from outside the region where you’re from, and their immediate reaction is, “Oh, that’s a beautiful city/region/part of the state.” Do we get tired of hearing it? Maybe a little, but certainly not because it’s untrue — it is beautiful out here, and I for one feel spoiled around this time of year to have the fall colors on the mountains as part of my daily scenery.
In the past few weeks, you’ve probably seen some very not-beautiful pictures of Asheville and the surrounding area. Hurricane Helene dumped 40 trillion gallons of rain on the southeast. To me, 40 trillion isn’t much more than a huge, abstract number that one can compare to the volume of Lake Tahoe, or 619 days of water over Niagara Falls. Unfortunately, there are some pictures (such as the before-and-after of Chimney Rock, North Carolina) that show you what that amount of rainfall really does, in a more visceral sense.
We were unprepared for Helene, but in the way that we might have been unprepared for a meteor. There was a chance of a catastrophe, but such a small chance that it made no practical sense to worry about. Living in fear is not what mountain folk do, especially not when we can do something about it. And while there were some scary early days, when everyone was still realizing just how bad the storm was, it was amazing to witness that uncertainty evaporating almost overnight into a strong sense of community.
I even felt it myself. As soon as my needs were met, once I had enough water and supplies to last a week and a half, my anxiety immediately gave way to restless energy, and I started looking for ways to volunteer in the areas that needed the most hands. Whether I “wanted” to, I can’t even remember. It just felt important and necessary, because I could. Asheville’s River Arts District was one of those areas hit especially hard, and as someone with close friends and family who make art for a living, it simply seemed like common sense for me to go and lend a hand at Riverview Station.
I had an idea of what kind of mess to expect. I had seen aerial pictures of the floodwaters spilling into second-floor studios on social media, read posts about decades’ worth of the artists’ works destroyed by the surging French Broad. We knew in advance that it’d be dangerous as well; working in any flooded building comes with its own set of risks, even apart from the tons of toxic mud in a calf-deep layer all over the work site.
There were moments where I still got overwhelmed by the scale of the destruction. My first day at Riverview Station, I had been on-site hauling mud-soaked debris for nearly an hour before I realized our “work site” was the remains of a huge parking lot, broken up and washed away by the sheer weight and force of the floodwaters. It had never occurred to me until then that a parking lot itself could be destroyed in a flood.
That didn’t stop me, or the dozens of volunteers that also showed up to work in the muck, and unlike me, many of the most dedicated volunteers were still without running water. Living in Arden, I at least had a hot shower to go back to, but now I know how to decontaminate, change clothes, and follow basic HAZMAT procedures entirely without running water (the key is to pack lots of trash bags and wet wipes). For all of us, we were just motivated by the fact that there was something that needed to be done, unambiguous and plain to see. There were no questions of what had to be done or why, just the task in front of us.
If you’ve ever seen the famous graphite-clearing scene from HBO’s Chernobyl, it felt much the same: I knew that it was a disaster situation, that these were not “normal” circumstances, and I had accepted the certain risks that came with it. I had a job to do, a basic understanding of the situation, and I thought I was ready to work… until I actually stepped into one of the studios.
There was a moment, like my realization with the parking lot, where I saw the contaminated mud inches deep on the ground, coating every possible surface and object around, and the only thought I had for a moment was, “Where the hell do I start?” But, like with clearing radioactive graphite, clearing toxic salvage started for me the same way as I start any difficult and tedious job: with what’s right in front of me. I take a piece, move it out, come back, grab another. If it’s too heavy, someone else will come over to help — often without being asked — and help me pitch it (safely) out of the building. Rinse, repeat, as many times as it took until the job was done.
And finishing even a small job, clearing a room or mucking out a hallway, gave this amazing sense of gratification for everyone around; even the tiniest visible sign of progress made us cheer, however tired we sounded.
Because progress is progress, even a little bit at a time. Slowly, a disaster site starts to resemble a cleanup site, which starts to resemble a construction site, as we piece together our new normal, brick by brick. Rebuilding Asheville and the rest of western North Carolina will continue to be a lot of work in the weeks and months to come. But as far as we volunteers are concerned, the work is that much easier, because the beautiful place we call home is worth the effort.
