Storm damage and slope repair
Eroded banks, undercut slopes and walls damaged by Helene or later storms. Here's how repair usually works.
Hurricane Helene brought record flooding to the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers in September 2024 and set off more than 2,000 landslides across western North Carolina. Many properties around Asheville were left with washed-out banks, undercut slopes, failed walls and damaged driveways.
Who should look at it first?
That depends on how serious it is:
- Small erosion or a damaged garden wall: a retaining wall or hardscape contractor can usually assess and repair it.
- A slope that slid, is still moving, or sits above or below a house, driveway or road: a geotechnical engineer should assess it first, and the repair will usually follow their design.
- Active danger: if a slope is moving toward a home or people could be at risk, leave the area and contact emergency services.
Common repairs
- Rebuilding failed walls with proper drainage and reinforcement
- Stabilizing eroded banks with rock, walls or regrading
- Redirecting runoff with drains, swales and culvert work
- Replanting and erosion-control matting on disturbed ground
Things that reduce landslide risk
The NC Geological Survey's guidance, as reported by BPR and WUNC, includes simple steps such as keeping ditches, culverts and gutters clear. Watch for warning signs like new cracks in the ground, new springs or seeps, and tilting trees or posts.
Insurance and assistance
Most homeowners' insurance doesn't cover landslides, so check your policy. Ask your county or city about any recovery programs or permit fee reductions that may still apply to storm repairs.
The contractor prices the wall after walking the site, checking the slope and soil, and talking through what you need. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Do I need an engineer to repair a slope after a landslide?
For a slope that slid, is still moving, or affects a house, driveway or road, a geotechnical engineer should assess it first. Smaller erosion repairs often don't need one.
Will my insurance pay for slope repair after Helene?
Most homeowners' policies exclude landslides. Check your policy and ask about any recovery assistance programs.
Related services
More background: Asheville retaining wall guide.
Wall leaning, cracking or a slope that's moving?
Call now and a local retaining wall contractor will look at it and quote the work.