The Virginia Creeper Trail Suffers Damage After Hurricane Helene
By Roger Sigmon – Wise News Network
Damascus, VA (WNN) – Damascus, Virginia, is a small town in Washington County with a population of 814. It comprises part of the tri-cities area, Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City, which overlap Tennessee and Virginia. In July, they appointed their first-ever town manager. Chris Bell entered the role, bringing 26 years of managerial experience. Little did he know that in less than 90 days, he would be faced with managing one of the town’s biggest crises ever. He has done a magnificent job against incredible odds.
The New Town Manager’s Challenge
I recently had the pleasure of communicating with Mr. Bell and asked him about his initial reaction the day Hurricane Helene came through his town. “At the onset of the storm, I was already nervous with the water levels of both waterways that converge in town. However, I was in a state of disbelief once the Laurel Creek breached its bank and began surging with debris through our downtown corridor several feet in height. I had begun door-to-door evacuation efforts as multiple swift rescue teams went into action. It was surreal and frightening being unsure of when the water would recede and not knowing if residents or visitors were trapped.”
Bell and the town have been working closely with VDEM, FEMA, the Red Cross, Washington Co, WCWSA, Appalachian Power, DCR, USFS, Army Corp of Engineers, and various local and state legislators to stand up the Disaster Recovery Center quickly, and multiple donation centers, along with restoration of utilities, and infrastructure, storm debris removal, building and trail assessments, and inspections, along with fundraising campaigns. The town is collaborating with multiple volunteer organizations that are now being consolidated under a local “Trails to Recovery” volunteer committee to oversee long-term repair and recovery efforts.
When asked what some of the biggest challenges or obstacles to returning to a somewhat normal state were, Town Manager Chris Bell responded, “fully repairing or replacing town roads, sidewalks, trails, and parks.”
Virginia Creeper Trail
The single greatest obstacle is the restoration of the Virginia Creeper Trail, which the United States Forest Service manages. The town has worked together with the UFS to repair trestle 16 quickly. Hopefully, trestle 17 can be quickly repaired and reopened. It runs through the heart of the town. The trail’s closure forces the town to think creatively about alternate economic development and spurs alternative eco-tourist activities and destinations in the area.
A portion of the Virginia Creeper Trail is owned and managed by the town of Damascus with help from the USF. What is the Virginia Creeper Trail? It is a rail trail, shared path on railway right of way. The trail runs along the remains of an abandoned railway, including restored train trestles. Its use is intended for non-motorized traffic, including pedestrians, horseback riders, bicyclists, and skaters. The multi-purpose rail trail in Southwest Virginia is located 35 miles from Abington to Whitetop near the North Carolina state line. Trail users descend from Abington to Damascus and pass through the national forest, crossing several restored trestles and the Appalachian Trail.
The trek offers breathtaking picturesque views. The elevation drops 300 feet and climbs 2,000 feet. The trail runs on a rail right of way that dates to the 1880s. Several rail companies owned the railway through the years, including Abingdon Coal and Iron Railroad, Virginia-Carolina, and Southern Railway, and the last owner-operator was Norfolk and Western. In 1957, the last steam engine was retired. The nickname of Virginia Creeper came from the slow pace of the engines traveling up the mountain. By 1977, the railway had closed due to flooding and unrepaired tracks. The rails were removed as the US Forest Service secured the land to create a recreational trail.
Economic Impact
The economic impact is staggering. Early estimates including government, residential, and business properties damaged or destroyed stands at $10 million. October is usually the highest-grossing month for the town in terms of tourism. The timing of the storm could not have been worse. Most reservations have been canceled for the month. Some residents are not only physically displaced with damage from the flood, but also unemployed since their work is tied to the local tourism economy. Even though restaurants, lodging establishments, and outfitters repair and reopen in the short term, the closure of the Virginia Creeper Trail between Damascus and Whitetop will have a significant long-term impact on the bike shuttle businesses. A conservative estimate from Bell of $4 million lost from the shuttle business until the trail is fully restored. The urgency of restoring the trail cannot be overstated.
Cleanup and Recovery
“The resilience and spirit of this region is awe-inspiring. Before the water even fully receded, we had volunteers out on their personal tractors and skid steers clearing debris, logs, mud, and rocks from the roadways.” Stated Bell. During the first week, the town received an overwhelming number of supplies. Grass root fundraising campaigns and events sprung up quickly. Damascus, known as “the friendliest town on the trail,” has made many connections both regionally and nationally by welcoming all visitors over the years. These efforts have been rewarded through the outpouring of help. Bell says, “the outpouring of support from our trail friends is humbling.”
The “muck out” phase is almost complete. Streets and sidewalks are now safe as residents and business owners clear the last of the mud and debris from their properties. Now comes the rebuilding phase. Volunteer construction efforts are being coordinated through “Trails to Recovery” teams as they seek qualified and skilled volunteers with experience in foundation building, roofing, electrical, and plumbing. Financial contributions towards building materials and supplies are crucial. The town will continue to need volunteers to assist clearing the miles of waterways, remove debris and fallen timber from streams and riverbanks.
If you wish to donate or volunteer, links are located at www.damascus.org or www.vacreepertrail.org
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