The Hurricane Helene Cleanup, which will take place at several places in the Douglas Lake headwater area on November 15 from 9 am to 1 pm, is in need of volunteers.
Alongside the East Tennessee Crossing National Scenic Byway, debris has been left behind by flooding from the Nolichucky, Pigeon, and French Broad rivers. Nov. 7, 2024, NORRIS, Tenn. /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — More than a month has passed since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina and East Tennessee.
The French Broad, Pigeon, and Nolichucky Rivers feed Douglas Lake, which received 182 billion gallons of water from the destructive storm. Additionally, the lake’s shoreline and coves now contain more than one square mile of debris.
Multiple tourism and beautification groups have partnered to kickstart the cleanup process as state and federal agencies finalize the full plan for the debris removal.
Spearheaded by the Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council and the Jefferson County Department of Tourism, the cleanup also has volunteers and support from various organizations such as Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful, TRV Stewardship Council, East Tennessee Crossing Byway Committee, Keep Jefferson Beautiful, Keep Cocke County Beautiful, and the Norris Lake Project.
“After working with our local and state agencies, we feel it is the perfect timing to start the cleanup efforts to get Douglas Lake back online in time for spring and summer visitors and fishing trips.”
“Hurricane Helene brought almost all lake activities to a screeching halt, including the numerous regional and national fishing tournaments we were set to host,” says Lauren Hurdle, Jefferson County Director of Tourism.
“Douglas Lake is a vital asset to the tourism industry in this region of the Smoky Mountains, drawing over three million visitors annually and is a vital asset to the tourism industry.”
