The small town of Lake Lure is gearing up for a major milestone on Monday, planning for a soft reopening of the lake.
The lake, a popular tourist attraction, has been closed since Hurricane Helene, which left extensive damage and debris in and around the water in September 2024. Helene washed away buildings, docks and one of the town of Lake Lure's biggest features, the lake itself.
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Crews are almost done refilling the lake, and town officials said a full reopening is set for Memorial Day weekend.
The town of Lake Lure posted the following statement:
"Lake levels are currently approaching full pond, and this initial reopening phase will allow the Town to safely reintroduce public access while continuing to monitor conditions and complete ongoing work. This soft opening is designed to prioritize safety while allowing limited recreational use. Conditions on the lake remain variable, and recovery operations are still ongoing. Please be sure to follow all the guidelines in the link during this phase of reopening to ensure everything goes smoothly."
Non-motorized vessels, fishing and swimming are permitted at Lake Luire during the soft opening phase, according to the town. Water skiing, tubing, wakeboarding and similar activities are not permitted. The town said boaters shoud use "extreme caution," because debris may still be present. A full guide to the reopening is posted online.
Among the damage to Lake Lure was the Flowering Bridge, a destination for photographers and visitors to stop and soak in the amazing color.
WRAL documentary explores the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina
Helene was the most damaging storm in state history, causing $60 billion in damage, destroying or damaging more than 185,000 homes, and claiming the lives of 108 people. WRAL's documentary "Helene: What We Lost, What We Found" goes in-depth, telling the stories of survivors in western North Carolina.
Watch the full-length documentary on WRAL.com or on WRAL's YouTube channel.