The town of Lake Lure, immortalized in the iconic lift scene from Dirty Dancing, has been devastated by the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Located beneath the towering cliffs of Chimney Rock State Park in North Carolina, the area was a famous backdrop for films, including The Last of the Mohicans, but is now in ruins.

Chimney Rock, with a small population of fewer than 150 residents, was particularly hard hit. The picturesque village, known for its natural beauty and frequent use in Hollywood productions, has been decimated by floodwaters after a dam overflowed on Saturday.

Once a tranquil tourist hub, Chimney Rock is now described as “a river” after floodwaters surged through, sweeping away everything in their path, including local businesses like the Chimney Rock brewery.

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Local Tracey Stevens, who worked at the brewery, expressed her shock at the devastation: “What was once a town is now a river. It’s beyond anything I can imagine.”

The flooding has obliterated much of Lake Lure and its surrounding areas, which thrived on tourism after the release of Dirty Dancing in 1987. The town became a beloved destination for fans of the film, who flocked to see the spot where Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey performed their iconic lift. The region’s economy, heavily reliant on hotels, motels, restaurants, and souvenir stores, has been decimated.

Local politician Ed Broyhill, who owns a home in Lake Lure, described the devastation as “heart-wrenching,” highlighting how the area’s tourism-based livelihoods were washed away in the floodwaters.

Unprecedented destruction

Chris Murray, a rescue crew leader, noted the overwhelming damage: “The village? There’s just nothing left. I’ve never seen concentrated damage like we’ve seen here.” He added that rescuers had saved over 150 people stranded by the floodwaters.

Hurricane Helene, which first made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, has left a trail of devastation across six states. North Carolina was hit hardest, with at least 40 deaths reported in Buncombe County, neighboring Rutherford County, where Chimney Rock is located. Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for as the search and recovery efforts continue.

A town lost to nature’s fury

The fate of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature. Once celebrated for its breathtaking beauty and historical significance in film, the region now faces an uncertain future as residents come to terms with the overwhelming loss of their homes, businesses, and a piece of cinematic history.