b'22 AVLEMERGENCY OPERATIONS Asheville Regional Reflects AboutSurviving Hurricane Helene BY PAUL NOLANLast fall, a catastrophic hurricanethe site to protect it from high winds that hit Western North Carolina.were predicted.Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) hadPer the airports standard pre-storm weathered bad stormsprocedure, staff coordinated with airline countless times before.representatives regarding operations and However, the 48 hourscontingency plans.from Sept. 25 to 27 FACTS&FIGURESproved to be notablyWe were ready, different for Presidentrecalls Chief Operating Project: Surviving Extreme Weather Officer Lexie Farmer, Location: Asheville Regional Airport, in NC and Chief Executive Officer Lew Bleiweis andwho had previously Weather Event: High winds, 17+ inches of rain overLEW BLEIWEIS worked at four other his team. 2 days & severe flooding associated with Hurricaneairports but was only Helene At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25,three months intoLEXIE FARMEREffects: Widespread road closures; loss of power,Hurricane Helene was at Category 1 strength,her role at AVL when the history-making internet service, phone lines & cellphone service and its center was just north of Cancun,hurricane descended. Impact at Airport: Flights suspended; aboutMexico. By then, AVL had already completed 100 passengers stranded; roughly another 50 peopleits usual pre-storm checklist. While theDownpour Followedsought shelter in terminal storm brewed, crews checked to makeby DestructionKey Wins: Emergency generators worked assure culverts, inlets and outtakes on airportAccording to the National Weather Service, designed/needed; standard pre-storm precautionsproperty were clear. Sandbags were placed17.31 inches of rain fell in Asheville from Sept. (clearing culverts, placing sandbags, etc.) provedin areas that frequently flooded. Generators beneficial; water service was not interrupted; massivewere on standby, and there was plenty of25 to 27, and higher amounts fell around the donations of emergency supplies received; FAA,diesel fuel in the event of a power outage. region. Ashevilles previous record for the airlines, concessionaires & other airports provided vitalentire month of September was 13.71 inches support In addition, contractors working on AVLsin 2004. Compounding matters, Helene hit Noteworthy Details: Airport reconfigured to servenew $400 million terminal (the first phase ofafter the area had already experienced an as emergency logistics hub; provided mental healthwhich will open this summer) battened downextremely wet stretch of weather.counseling to all staff May | June 2025AirportImprovement.com'