‘Damage is unimaginable’ in Chimney Rock after images show half of village wiped out

CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. (WNCN) — Much of the village of Chimney Rock has been wiped out by massive flooding from Helene, according to reports from the village.

“The damage is unimaginable,” rescue crews from Pamlico County said in a social media post, along with photos.

Chimney Rock is along U.S. 64 hugging the Broad River in Rutherford County. Lake Lure is located just east of Chimney Rock also along U.S. 64.

Photos from the village of Chimney Rock showed about half of the business on the southern side — nearest to the Broad River — gone from flooding.

U.S. 64 pavement and roadway were also washed out in front of the Village of Chimney Rock Public Parking lot and Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room and Bistro, which are up on a hill.

More than a foot of rain fell upstream from Lake Lure and Chimney Rock.

Pamlico County Emergency Management reported their team was the first from outside the village to reach Chimney Rock Fire Department and begin assisting with rescues and evacuations.

Crews said they had to “cut our way” through trees and debris to reach the village Saturday.

Pamlico County staffers in Chimney Rock rescued four people and evacuated 106 people along with two dogs and two cats. Rutherford County Emergency Management said 100+ people were rescued from Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Saturday.

Photos showed a helicopter had landed at the Village of Chimney Rock Public Parking lot.

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