Asheville Citizen Times: Good Morning America Highlights Asheville’s Recovery One Year After Helene
Asheville was featured on a national broadcast of Good Morning America as part of the program’s “50 States in 50 Weeks: America the Beautiful” series.
The segment, broadcast live from Biltmore Estate, highlighted Asheville and Western North Carolina’s recovery efforts nearly one year after the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene.
The broadcast focused on the region’s resilience and the importance of welcoming visitors back to support local businesses and the broader economy.
Community leaders and business owners shared stories of rebuilding and encouraged travelers across the country to return to Asheville.
Jeffrey Burroughs, fine jeweler and president of River Arts District Artists, said the national spotlight helped reinforce the strength and determination of the region’s creative community.
“We’ve built back and have proven our resilience time and time again. While there is much left to do, we’re in a time to recognize and celebrate what we’ve achieved in just a year.”
The River Arts District, one of Asheville’s most visited cultural destinations, was heavily impacted by flooding during the storm. Hundreds of artists lost studios and inventory when the French Broad River surged through the district.
In the months following the storm, artists, businesses, and volunteers worked together to reopen studios and restore creative spaces.
By the fall of 2025, many artists had returned to work and galleries throughout the district had begun welcoming visitors again.
The Good Morning America segment was part of a broader national effort to spotlight communities across the United States and share stories of culture, resilience, and local leadership.