Flash floods from Wilson Creek brought havoc to Brown Mountain Beach resort on Sep. 27, 2024. The camping, kayaking and wedding venue saw significant damage during Hurricane Helene, with repairs estimated upwards of $1,000,000 according to manager Kelsey Wallace.
Staff, local construction companies, former guests, and volunteers are working to clear the damage to the beloved resort.
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Brushy Mountain Builder employees Jake Smith, left, Matt Faw, center, and Keith Kent use chainsaws to cut through debris at Brown Mountain Beach Resort on Oct. 4, 2024.
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Hickory Daily Record Brown Mountain Beach Resort manager Jeremy Wallace, right, and Brushy Mountain Builders owner, John Moore discuss the building company’s work clearing the property of storm debris on Oct. 4, 2024. Moore and his employees volunteered their machinery and labor after Hurricane Helene flooded the area on Sept. 27.
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Hickory Daily Record From left to right: Ruthie Wallace, manager Jeremy Wallace, Lexi Wallace, manager Kelsey Wallace, and Caleb Wallace stand for a photo in front of Rocky Pavilion at Brown Mountain Beach Resort on Oct. 4, 2024. Flooding brought on by Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage to the resort and family residences throughout the property.
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A kayak sits along the west bank of Wilson Creek on Oct. 4, 2024. Brown Mountain Beach Resort manager Kelsey Wallace estimates that the flooding to the property will set her about $1,000,000 property damage.
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Hickory Daily Record The inside of the speakeasy at Brown Mountain Beach Resort on Oct. 4, 2024. Water from Wilson Creek flooded the interior of the bar, ruining the furniture and interior of the historical bar.
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Packs of waterbottles, nonperishable food items, and other supplies adorn the inside of the Rocky Pavilion at the Brown Mountain Beach Resort on Oct. 4, 2024. The resort and surrounding area received extensive flood damage.
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A canoe full of river water and leaves rests beside other paddlecraft at the Brown Mountain Beach Resort on Oct. 4, 2024. Resort manager Jeremy Wallace used one of the resort’s canoes to navigate his way through flood waters to rescue his his mother-in-law, Wendy McDaniel during Hurricane Helene.
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Wendy McDaniel’s home sits in ruins on the Brown Mountain Beach Resort on Oct. 4, 2024. Flooding from Wilson Creek moved the home from its original location next to the carport on the right.
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Monica Meda cleans up outside the home of Brown Mountain Beach Resort managers, Jeremy and Kelsey Wallace on Oct. 4, 2024. The home was flooded during Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27, 2024.
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A Bobcat grabs a pile of lumber from a pile at the Brown Mountain Beach Resort in Lenoir, NC on Oct. 4, 2024. Brushy Rock Builders volunteered their heavy-machinery and manpower to help clear up the debris left from Hurricane Helene’s floods.
“I’ll never forget Wendy’s face,” Wallace said. “She’s 70 years old, maybe 71 now, and sheer terror because it was a rushing, raging river.”
The Wilson Creek area was heavily damaged during Hurricane Helene near the end of September 2024.
“I’ll never forget Wendy’s face,” Wallace said. “She’s 70 years old, maybe 71 now, and sheer terror because it was a rushing, raging river.”
