Two years after Hurricane Helene, Beech Mountain still faces a dangerous problem beneath its only drinking-water reservoir.

Storm damage left Buckeye Lake’s dam unable to properly release emergency floodwaters. Town officials warn another major storm could create a serious safety threat.

Last month’s rainstorm almost did:

Helene dumped extreme rainfall across the mountains in September 2024. Debris and sediment then poured into Buckeye Lake. The storm damaged the water intake system, spillway and flood-release infrastructure. Those problems remain unresolved today.

Engineers have recommended draining the lake to fully inspect and repair the damage. However, the town would first need another temporary water source.  The entire repair process could take nearly a year once work begins.

ccofficials estimate the broader project could cost at least $60 million. Beech Mountain has already spent more than $1 million evaluating the damage and developing repair plans.

The town is also working toward a second water source to reduce dependence on Buckeye Lake.

That backup system could become critical during future storms, droughts or major repairs.

Beech Mountain has fewer than 1,000 permanent residents, but tourism can push the population much higher.

For now, the town continues relying on Buckeye Lake while searching for enough funding to complete the repairs.

Two years after Helene, the threat remains unresolved — and another major storm could expose just how vulnerable the system remains.

Disney just revealed new plans and renderings for its massive North Carolina community, offering the clearest look yet at the project.

The recently announced plans to come to North Carolina to build one of their first innovative ‘Storyliving by Disney‘ self-enclosed towns. The new 1,500-acre ‘Asteria’ community is poised to offer a blend of 4,000 single family, multifamily, and mixed-use spaces in a fully enclosed live-work-play concept.

The project is being developed with DMB Development. Walt Disney Imagineering is helping shape the architecture, landscaping and overall community experience.

Disney’s newest reveal focuses on Asteria’s main entrance.

The entryway will reflect North Carolina’s Piedmont region using stone taken directly from the site. Materials will include quartz, rhyolite and metavolcanic rock.

A large moon gate will serve as one of the entrance’s signature features. The arched structure will frame views into the community.

Disney also released new details about Second Star Club, which will serve as Asteria’s social and recreational center.

Plans include yoga spaces, tennis and pickleball courts, pools, dining areas and community gathering spaces. Disney also envisions workshops, movie nights and events with Disney experts.

Another planned feature is Lost Key Cottage, a five-bedroom rental home inspired by Peter Pan. Members could use it for overnight stays and celebrations.

Asteria will sit inside the larger Chatham Park development near Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

Disney describes the community as a “campus of discovery” centered on learning, nature and neighborhood connections.

Home sales are currently expected to begin in late 2027. Pricing and specific home designs have not yet been announced.

A powerful nor’easter is tearing into North Carolina’s Outer Banks, closing NC 12 and battering the coastline with massive surf – now officially America’s first Atlantic nor’easter of the season.

The storm has already caused coastal flooding, severe erosion and dune damage. It is also disrupting a major beach nourishment project.

Waves near the Outer Banks could reach 15 to 18 feet offshore, while wind gusts may hit 40 to 50 mph.

Earlier tonight, NCDOT closed NC 12 between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe. Ocean overwash breached dunes near the Pea Island Visitor Center.

A large crack also developed in the highway near Pea Island. Officials urged drivers to avoid the affected stretch.

The damage adds another expensive chapter for NC 12, the Outer Banks’ critical transportation route.

Maintaining the vulnerable highway has cost roughly $70 million over the past decade.

Meanwhile, the storm has stalled a $42 million beach nourishment project in Buxton.

Crews had already placed about 1.8 million cubic yards of sand before conditions deteriorated. The full project calls for roughly 2 million cubic yards.

Contractors moved equipment away from the shoreline and temporarily halted work.

Dare County accelerated the project because erosion was advancing faster than previously expected.

Officials say it remains too early to determine how much of the new shoreline may have been lost.

The storm is also bringing dangerous surf and coastal flooding farther up the East Coast.

For the Outer Banks, repeated high tides remain a major concern as strong northeast winds continue pushing water toward shore.

Officials are urging residents and visitors to check road conditions before traveling through affected areas.

North Carolina’s largest military base has just been selected to host a new generation of advanced nukes under a historic US Army program called ‘Project Janus’.

The Army selected Antares Nuclear to develop a commercial nuclear microreactor at NC’s Fort Bragg. The project is part of the new Janus Program, which initially includes five major Army installations.

“We need more power. We need it delivered faster and cheaper, and we need it to be more reliable,” said Owen West, director, DIU in a press release. “With Janus, DIU is assisting the Army’s micro reactor build — speeding military energy production to protect the nation.”

The federal government plans to provide up to $2.2 billion between 2027 and 2031 for the broader program. Combined with private investment, the Army expects more than 20 nuclear microreactors across military installations nationwide.

The first reactor project is expected to enter useful service by September 2028. Private contractors will build, own and operate the reactors rather than the military.

Fort Bragg joins Fort Campbell in Kentucky, Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Benning in Georgia and Fort Drum in New York. Each installation will work with a different nuclear technology company.

The Army says microreactors could provide reliable power while strengthening energy security at critical military installations. Officials also hope the program will accelerate America’s advanced nuclear industry and manufacturing capacity.

However, companies won’t receive their federal funding upfront. Payments will depend on contractors successfully reaching specific technical milestones.

The Army also plans to work closely with utility companies surrounding participating installations. Eventually, those partnerships could lead to larger nuclear projects supplying electricity beyond individual bases.

For North Carolina, the selection places Fort Bragg at the forefront of America’s emerging advanced nuclear energy push.