Together We Overcome: Reflecting on Hurricane Helene and the Power of Community

By A Grateful Member of the Kenmure Family 

It’s hard to forget the sound of rushing water and cracking limbs that came with Hurricane Helene when she made her unexpected mark on Western North Carolina. For those of us who call Kenmure and the surrounding mountain communities home, the storm wasn’t just a line on a radar — it was personal. 

Helene’s heavy rains overwhelmed our beloved course, sending the peaceful creeks that run through Kenmure surging past their banks. As documented in the Kenmure Golf Maintenance Blog, the force of the water carved away at our fairways, uprooted trees, and swallowed parts of the landscape we know so well. Bridges were battered, cart paths were washed out, and entire sections of turf were stripped away like loose thread. 

But in the days that followed — when the power was still out, when communication lines were spotty, and when the road to normalcy seemed uncertain — something beautiful happened. Kenmure became more than a country club. It became a place of refuge. 

With power, Wi-Fi, drinkable water, and hot meals, the Club opened its doors wide. Members and residents gathered — not just to recharge their phones, but to recharge their spirits. Over shared meals, card games, and comforting conversations, neighbors became friends, and friends became like family. In the midst of disruption, we found connection. 

That week served as a powerful reminder of what truly defines Kenmure: not just the course, the clubhouse, or the scenic views, but the strength of the community that surrounds it. We come together in good times — and even more so in difficult ones. 

The final remnants of the storm recovery were centered at the Fitness Center, where we faced a convergence of issues with the power box, cable, water, and gas. Addressing each of these challenges required steady communication and persistence, but I’m pleased to share that the last of those items has now been resolved. One year later, we are finally beyond the storm’s impact and well on our way to a full recovery.

As with any natural disaster, new challenges may still arise in the months ahead. Hidden damage and long-term impacts may reveal themselves slowly. But we’ll meet those moments the same way we faced Helene — together. 

From the dedicated staff and selfless volunteers, to the neighbors who gathered together, we are reminded that community is our greatest asset. 

Kenmure is more than a club — it’s a mountain family. And together, we overcome.