00:00All right, one year ago, Hurricane Helene caused horrific devastation in western North Carolina.
00:06Asheville suffered some of the most deadly impacts.
00:09Here with an update is Asheville City Manager Debra Campbell.
00:12Thanks so much for being with us this morning.
00:14Thank you for having me.
00:16Debra, first, with multiple storms developing in the Atlantic,
00:18how are your teams preparing if the storm path does head toward North Carolina?
00:23Well, we have an emergency operation plan, and we are getting and utilizing that plan to help us get prepared.
00:36So the way that we prepare for Helene will be the way that we will continue to be prepared for emergency operations efforts.
00:47How would you describe Asheville's recovery one year after Hurricane Helene?
00:51And what has been the biggest challenges for the city to help residents rebuild their homes?
00:58I think the way that I would describe our recovery is hopeful.
01:07And that we have recovered, quite frankly, faster than most would have thought we would have recovered,
01:18considering the amount of damage.
01:20But obviously, we have such a long way to go.
01:24And in terms of challenges, I think it is managing expectations.
01:29I know that people want us to move much faster, particularly in terms of repairing our parks and other infrastructure.
01:40But this takes time.
01:43Recovery is a journey.
01:44It is a marathon and not a sprint.
01:47And so there's a lot that needs to get done.
01:51But we have made a lot of progress.
01:54And I want to go on record to say we are open for business.
01:59Please come visit us.
02:01We have an incredibly beautiful city.
02:04And we would love to have you come visit us.
02:08And speaking of visitors and travelers, what about infrastructure progress?
02:12How is the city doing to repair roads, bridges and other areas?
02:16We are making progress.
02:18As I said, we still have a long way to go.
02:22But we have done a tremendous amount of work within, again, a short time frame, mainly because of the work and help and assistance that we've gotten from the federal or state governments in terms of funding.
02:38But we have a tremendous need.
02:42We have about $1 billion, that's a B, dollars worth of improvements that are needed.
02:50And so we're making progress, but still a lot to be done.
02:54You've been Asheville City Manager for seven years.
02:57You're retiring in December.
02:59What are your thoughts as you reflect on your time in this role?
03:03My thoughts are that I have been extremely privileged to have been chosen to have this position for seven years.
03:17I reflect on the number of employees that I will miss and just admire their passion and commitment to public service.
03:30And our elected officials and just this entire community has been so welcoming and supportive.
03:39And whenever, actually not when we called on them, but when they thought that they were needed, they showed up, particularly related to Helene.
03:49So those are my reflections.
03:52Amazing.
03:52Asheville City Manager Deborah Campbell, thank you for joining us on AccuWeather Early.
03:56And we wish you a very relaxing retirement.
03:58Thanks again for joining us.
04:00Thank you for having me.
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