From Crisis to Community: How Asheville Is Taking Charge of Helene Recovery
After weeks of disaster response dominated by federal agencies and aid groups, the recovery from Hurricane Helene in Asheville and Buncombe County is entering a new phase—one that prioritizes local leadership and community collaboration.
This transition is being led by a Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG), a coalition of faith-based organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, businesses, and other community stakeholders. Designed to assist individuals and families in their recovery journey, the LTRG steps in where government aid leaves off, addressing gaps and ensuring no one is left behind.
A Recovery Tailored to the Community
LTRGs play a critical role in disaster recovery by influencing resource allocation, zoning, and land-use policies to align with the community’s needs. Thrive Asheville and the United Way have partnered to establish and facilitate Buncombe County’s LTRG, ensuring the recovery effort is inclusive, effective, and informed by national best practices.
Kate Pett, Deputy Director of Thrive Asheville, explains the group’s mission:
“Thrive’s role is to facilitate the development of an effective group by building broad community support, creating organizational structures, and bridging connections with the City, County, and FEMA. Our commitment is to guide recovery in a way that reflects the unique character of our community.”
Key Benefits of the Community-Driven Approach
Streamlined Access to Resources: Survivors can access services through a single, knowledgeable point of entry.
Equity in Support: Those hardest hit by the disaster receive the help they need.
Closing Gaps: The LTRG identifies and addresses unmet needs and resource shortfalls.
Efficient Use of Resources: Collaborative efforts maximize impact.
Long-Term Preparedness: The group’s work may continue beyond the current recovery, focusing on future disaster readiness.
Building a Resilient Future
The LTRG will remain operational as long as it takes to resolve all cases of displaced households, which could take 5 to 10 years. Beyond that, it may evolve into a standing preparedness group, ensuring Asheville is ready for any future crises.
Ryan Smolar, Executive Director of Thrive Asheville, emphasizes the importance of this collaborative approach:
“We provide capacity-building support for local agencies doing great work to foster community collaboration and impact. Thrive is proud to serve as a trusted convener, bringing together stakeholders to tackle challenges and find solutions together.”
By focusing on the unique strengths of the Asheville and Buncombe County communities, the LTRG is transforming disaster recovery into a model of resilience, inclusivity, and forward-thinking planning.