Bill McMannis
Member
Chimney Rock, the popular tourist destination, was devastated by Hurricane Helene in late September 2024. The Rocky Broad River became a torrent shoving boulders the size of trucks into businesses, homes and washing away more than two miles of US-74, which is the only way to access this little town. Businesses, such as The Hickory Nut, not only had their buildings washed away, but the land they stood on.
I took these pictures just over a year after the storm. US-74 from Asheville remains impassable, but we can now visit the town by driving in from Rutherfordton. It takes an hour longer in each direction. Some of the businesses were resourceful in reopening. The Hickory Nut set up merchandise for sale in the few remaining parking spaces that did not wash away. The state installed a natural gas fired generator to power businesses and homes. It will likely take several years before the infrastructure is completely restored, but it is worth the drive to see the shops and restaurants that need our support.
I took these pictures with a 1938 Leica III paired with a 1937 Leica Summar 5cm F 2.0 lens on Ilford FP4+ film (rated at 100 ISO) and developed in 1:65 HC-110. I scanned the negatives with my Epson 4870 using Vuescan.
scan.
I took these pictures just over a year after the storm. US-74 from Asheville remains impassable, but we can now visit the town by driving in from Rutherfordton. It takes an hour longer in each direction. Some of the businesses were resourceful in reopening. The Hickory Nut set up merchandise for sale in the few remaining parking spaces that did not wash away. The state installed a natural gas fired generator to power businesses and homes. It will likely take several years before the infrastructure is completely restored, but it is worth the drive to see the shops and restaurants that need our support.
I took these pictures with a 1938 Leica III paired with a 1937 Leica Summar 5cm F 2.0 lens on Ilford FP4+ film (rated at 100 ISO) and developed in 1:65 HC-110. I scanned the negatives with my Epson 4870 using Vuescan.
scan.
Last edited: