BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (BRAIN) — Industry suppliers, retailers and others in western North Carolina are dealing with the damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which flooded many areas and left residents without utilities and with impassable roads.
North Carolina suppliers Cane Creek Cycling Components, Industry Nine, The Mann Group and Boyd Cycling each announced on social media that they were closed due to the conditions.
"Roads are still closed or washed away. Our facility in Fletcher, NC is still without power and other services.
"We will be closed today as crews work tirelessly to get people up and running. If you have parts and components on order, we appreciate your patience during this trying time," Cane Creek announced on Facebook.
BRAIN's managing editor, Dean Yobbi, lives in Black Mountain, near Asheville. He reports that he and his wife and three cats are safe and fine, but he is left without water, internet, cell coverage or landline. He has a propane generator that supplies electricity as long as the propane lasts. He is unable to drive out of his neighborhood due to downed trees and flooded roads, although he was able to get to downtown Black Mountain on his bike Monday morning.
De Feet International, based in Hildebran, North Carolina, was undamaged and company employees were helping pack supplies to help others in need on Monday, CEO !Shane Cooper reported on Facebook Monday.Spectrum News reported on the damage in the Asheville area and spoke with a man who planned to open a bike shop soon there, only to see his store and inventory destroyed by the floods. Video below.
In Marshall, North Carolina, friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the owner of a local shop, On Your Bike. Joanne Ash, the sister of shop owner Alex Webber, told BRAIN that this is the second time Webber has been devastated by a hurricane. "Her house was hit by Katrina when she lived in New Orleans. She moved to Asheville to 'higher' ground and then this happened!" Ash said.
There is also a campaign to support the Bicycle Thrift Store, an Asheville nonprofit store.
