Raft Guides Lead Nolichucky River Cleanup After Helene
In Erwin, Tennessee, rafting outfitters and a crew of experienced whitewater guides have been contracted with state‑funded relief grants to remove debris from the Nolichucky River a year after Hurricane Helene's catastrophic flooding. The U.S. Forest Service closed river access while reconstruction and restoration continue; guides are using company 6‑person rafts to haul out car parts, sheet metal, tires and other hazardous debris that large machinery could not reach.
Environment
Disaster Recovery
🔍 Key Facts
- The cleanup is taking place on the Nolichucky River near Erwin, Tenn., about one year after Hurricane Helene flooded the Southern Appalachians (storm noted Sept. 27, 2024).
- Outfitters are using large 6‑person rafts and hiring displaced raft guides (named in the piece) through state‑funded relief grants to remove debris including car parts, household items, tires and sheet metal from washed‑out roofs.
- The U.S. Forest Service closed public access points to the river while year‑long reconstruction and restoration proceed and while crews remove hazardous debris from riverbanks and gorges.