The mountain village where “The Last of the Mohicans” and “Dirty Dancing” were filmed no longer exists due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Helen, local officials told Fox News Digital.
The small North Carolina town of Chimney Rock is located at the base of Chimney Rock State Park and home to picturesque Lake Lure. Ed Broyhill, a North Carolina Republican National Committee member who owns a lakefront home, said the community has been devastated by the storm's damage.
“The saddest thing in the world is that so many people have made their living from tourism…They have everything from hotels, motels, restaurants, nice shops, souvenir shops, clothing stores. “Every piece of it was washed away, everything was washed away into the lake,” he said.
Harris vs. Trump: Hurricane Helen in the eye of the campaign storm
Ed Broyhill told FOX News Digital that the village of Chimney Rock is now located on Lake Lua due to the effects of Hurricane Helen. (James Broyhill)
Roads have been washed away and electricity remains cut off in many areas, and Broyhill believes it will take “at least a year” to rebuild.
He called it “the worst weather event ever to occur in Western North Carolina.”
Click here for the latest FOX News report on the Helen mess.
Torrential rains in Helen, in western North Carolina, washed away boats, parts of businesses, and homes. (James Broyhill)
Broyhill recalled watching National Guard helicopters evacuate people from the area Sunday. When he inspected the site, he found that part of the road was completely gone. “It's surreal,” he said.
James Broyhill walks along his parents' dock in Lake Lure, North Carolina. (James Broyhill)
The North Carolina Department of Transportation urged people to avoid unnecessary travel in western North Carolina ahead of the normally crowded fall foliage season.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone,” Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins said in a press release. “People should still consider roads in Western North Carolina closed and avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary. All emergency responders, public works and transit crews, and future Priority must be given to others who are working hard to assist in what is likely to be a lengthy response and recovery effort. ”
