Significant progress in recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene have been made at Lake Lure and in Chimney Rock, according to an interview shared publicly by North Carolina Congressman Tim Moore. The lake is hopeful of being open by the summer season.

Chimney Rock will continue to host their annual Groundhog Day celebration, despite the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in September.

Sunday is Groundhog Day and the question of 6 more weeks of winter or an early spring was answered across the country including western North Carolina.

CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. — Despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Chimney Rock's Groundhog Day tradition will persist. The highlight of the afternoon will be Tater the Groundhog's prediction at 1:30 p.m., where the mascot will forecast the arrival of spring and the winner of Super Bowl LIX.

Community leaders and volunteers are working around the clock to help the Helene-hit area rebuild.