U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District Commander Col. Brad Morgan (left), explains to Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works E. Lee Forsgren (right), how the private property debris removal program helps property owners impacted by Hurricane Helene get federal assistance. Forsgren visited the property on April 24, 2025 as part of his visit to western North Carolina to learn about and assess the progress being made in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. This property was approved for USACE assistance debris removal, to include a damaged and unsafe tobacco barn that had been on the property for over 100 years. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis)
(Photo Credit: Michael Davis)VIEW ORIGINAL
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Mr. Lee Forsgren visited western North Carolina April 24–25 to observe Hurricane Helene response operations and assess progress under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ support to the state and people of North Carolina.
Forsgren, newly appointed to the role, was joined by Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, USACE deputy commanding general for Civil and Emergency Operations. Kelly, who visited the region just one week earlier, returned to help orient Forsgren, providing continuity and a deeper understanding of USACE’s mission, partnerships, and ongoing efforts on the ground.
“This visit was about seeing the mission in motion — standing alongside the people doing the work, listening to community members and leaders, and being dedicated to this important work,” Forsgren said. “Having Maj. Gen. Kelly here, with his recent visit and operational insight, brought valuable continuity and perspective as we engage with partners and assess the progress being made.”
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Lee Forsgren (right), points toward equipment performing waterway Hurricane Helene debris removal on the Broad River near the town of Lake Lure, North Carolina, on April 25, 2025, as he asks the owner of the contractor performing the work about the progress being made. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis)
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Forsgren and Kelly toured debris removal sites, temporary debris management areas, and water treatment projects. At many of the stops, they met with local, state, and federal officials, including Sen. Ted Budd, Rep. Chuck Edwards, and mayors of multiple impacted cities and towns. They also received mission updates from FEMA and Corps officials at the FEMA field office in Asheville.
From left to right, Republican national Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District Commander Col. Brad Morgan, U.S. Senator Ted Budd, USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works Jason Kelly, and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Lee Forsgren, pose for a photo during a visit to a temporary debris management site in Old Fort, North Carolina, April 24, 2025. The visit allowed senior leaders to see and assess the progress being made to help western North Carolina recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis) (Photo Credit: Michael Davis)VIEW ORIGINAL
At each stop, the leaders emphasized the strength of interagency collaboration to help those impacted by the storm.
“It was important that my first trip in this position be here to see the important work going on in North Carolina,” Forsgren said. “Our boots hit the ground 210 days ago — and they won’t come off until the mission is complete.”
Site visits included private property debris removal operations in Buncombe and McDowell counties, active waterway clearing on the French Broad River and Lake Lure, and a large-scale debris processing site in Old Fort. The group also visited the Bee Tree Reservoir system, where the Corps is supporting essential water treatment infrastructure.
From left to right, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Quality Assurance lead Chuck Hadley, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Lee Forsgren, USACE Water Treatment Plant Project Manager Beau Zeringue, and USACE South Atlantic Division Commander Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner discuss the water treatment efforts made at the Bee Tree Reservoir in Buncombe County, North Carolina, April 25, 2025. This project was critical to restoring water services for impacted areas after Hurricane Helene. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis)
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army)VIEW ORIGINAL
Maj. Gen. Kelly reiterated the Corps’ commitment to the region.
“We’ve been here since landfall — and we aren’t going anywhere,” Kelly said. “We have the right teams in place, and we’re working alongside our partners to return those who were impacted to their normal patterns of life. And we’re going to do that efficiently, expeditiously, and safely.”
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District Commander Brad Morgan (center) highlights current USACE debris removal progress to Congressman Chuck Edwards, during a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, April 24, 2025, in which senior leaders got a first-hand look at Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Other visitors included Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works E. Lee Forsgren and USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works Maj. Gen. Jason Kelly. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Major Brittany Hine) (Photo Credit: Michael Davis)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –
From left to right, Chimney Rock, North Carolina Mayor Peter O’Leary, explains the damage that his town saw after Hurricane Helene to U.S Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division Commander Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Lee Forsgren, on April 25, 2025. Forsgren visited the area to assess the progress being made toward recovery of the region. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis)
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An excavator loads vegetative debris into a grinder as mulch is expelled out at Old Fort temporary debris management site in Old Fort, North Carolina, April 24, 2025. The debris was gathered from waterways and private properties after Hurricane Helene impacted the region. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis) (Photo Credit: Michael Davis)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Lee Forsgren (right), meets with senior FEMA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leadership at the FEMA field office in Asheville, North Carolina, on April 25, 2025. The meeting focused on coordination, mission alignment, and progress as recovery continues across the region. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis)
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A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Deployable Tactical Operational System is parked near a worksite in the town of Lake Lure, North Carolina on April 25, 2025. A DTOS is a mobile, rapidly deployable communication and command support unit used during disaster or emergency operations such as hurricanes, floods, or other missions. when normal communication lines are damaged or unreliable. This one was deployed to western North Carolina in response to Hurricane Helene where it remains to support USACE efforts in the region. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis)
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From left to right, Director of Governor Josh Stein’s Western Office Holly Jones, Ashville Mayor Esther Manheimer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District Commander Col. Brad Morgan, and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works E. Lee Forsgren, discuss waterway debris removal efforts at Hominy Creek Park in Asheville, North Carolina, April 24, 2025. The visit highlighted how USACE is working alongside local and federal partners to clear waterways and reduce environmental and public safety risks following Hurricane Helene. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis)
(Photo Credit: Michael Davis)VIEW ORIGINAL
This year, the U.S. Army celebrates its 250th anniversary — a milestone recognizing two and a half centuries of service to the nation. From the beginning, Army engineers have played a critical role in building infrastructure, supporting military operations, and responding to disasters. Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers carries forward that legacy, delivering vital support to communities across the country.
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