Community launches new ways to support Ashevilles artists and businesses WSOC TV [Video]

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry that supports thousands of jobs and artists in the Asheville area, but Hurricane Helene wiped out much of that industry at precisely the wrong time.

“October is our biggest month, and we lost pretty much all of October,” said Michelle Bailey.

Bailey is a chef who has poured a lot of passion into her unique restaurant and event space in Asheville’s famed River Arts District. Now, all that’s left are the battered remains.

“We were in business for eight and a half years, and it was just a really special place,” Bailey told Channel 9′s Jonathan Lowe. “I had my wedding reception in there just last year and there’s really nothing left.”

During Helene, the French Broad River swelled nearly six feed above flood stage, reaching a record of more than 24 and a half feet. The water consumed the River …