Asheville Artists Recovered After Helene Displaced Hundreds

Two years after Tropical Storm Helene, local artists in Asheville have rebuilt their creative community.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Natural Disasters

Asheville Artists Recovered After Helene Displaced Hundreds

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Tropical Storm Helene struck Asheville in September 2024, displacing over 500 artists from the River Arts District. Two years later, many of those creators have successfully reopened galleries and retail spaces across the city.

Why it matters

The recovery of the River Arts District highlights the resilience of the local economy following the destruction of essential infrastructure. By renovating damaged buildings, business owners have managed to preserve the community identity that was jeopardized by the storm.

Tropical Storm Helene displaced over 500 artists from Asheville's River Arts District two years ago. Cotton Mill Studios was renovated with exterior electrical units moved to the roof to mitigate future flood risks.

The players

Fleta Monaghan

She is an artist whose building was severely impacted by floodwaters that reached the second floor.

Jannette Montenegro

She is the owner of the Cotton Mill Studios who has led efforts to renovate and protect the facility since 2017.

River Arts District Artists

This is an organization that provides support and resources to local creators displaced by the storm.

The details

Artists found temporary studios and shared equipment to continue operations while rebuilding in the aftermath of the storm. At Cotton Mill Studios, specifically, building owners moved electrical infrastructure to the second floor and roof to ensure future safety.

Jannette Montenegro purchased the Cotton Mill Studios in 2017.
Tropical Storm Helene struck Asheville in September 2024.
Artists began moving back into renovated studios in April 2026.
A restaurant returned to Cotton Mill Studios in mid-September 2026.
A press conference with artists and officials occurred on September 30, 2026.

Seasonal Patterns

The recovery effort follows the pattern of long-term redevelopment established in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene's 2024 impact on Western North Carolina.

Residents and visitors can support the local creative economy by visiting newly reopened galleries in the River Arts District. Those concerned about future storm risks can observe the flood-mitigation renovations performed at major community hubs like Cotton Mill Studios.

The takeaway

The sustained recovery of Asheville's arts scene demonstrates that local business owners can effectively adapt to extreme weather risks through targeted infrastructure investments. Protecting physical assets like electrical systems is a vital step for any small business located in high-risk flood zones.