We can all agree that Tropical Storm (née Hurricane) Helene was the worst natural disaster to hit our region in recent memory, taking more than 100 lives and leaving behind an estimated $59.6 billion in damage statewide.
Yet in terms of financial costs and lives potentially lost and disrupted, an equal or more devastating blow to Asheville and western North Carolina could be coming — this time, a man-made disaster, the result of legislation, executive orders, and decisions made by politicians after Helene.
The first line in the About Us section of our website says: “Asheville Watchdog is a free, local, not-for-profit, nonpartisan news organization.” I’d add “fact-based.”…