Western North Carolina Mountain Real Estate

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, “Where Wildfires Burn, Insurers Get Cold Feet,” M. P. McQueen reported on the industry’s reluctance to write homeowners policies in many wildfire prone Western states.

The landslide probability maps for Buncombe, Macon, and Watauga counties show stark landscapes: steep mountain terrain at certain risk of slope failures. Much of this land, if investigated for stability, would be classified as unsafe "no build" locations. Currently residential development on these hazardous mountain slopes is receiving no more oversight and regulation than a Florida flatland subdivision.

Planning for Landslides

A Five Million Dollar Landslide Loss

According to legislative findings and geologic investigations, landslides in Western North Carolina are serious and determinable threats to lives and property. In February 2005 the state passed the Hurricane Recovery Act. The General Assembly found:

Hurricanes Frances and Ivan wrought havoc upon Western North Carolina impacting the region on a scale not experienced before in that area of the State. The President issued two federal disaster declarations for the Western Region of the State. During Hurricane Ivan, the community of Peeks Creek was devastated by a debris flow triggered by heavy rains. The debris flow traveled speeds as great as 33 miles per hour for two and a quarter miles from the top of Fishhawk mountain. Five persons were killed and 15 homes destroyed by the flow that was estimated to be several hundred feet wide and up to 40 feet high. Other communities that were particularly hard hit by landslides include the Starnes Creek area in Buncombe County, the Little Pine area in Madison County, the White Laurel community in Watauga County, and the Bear Rock Estates in Henderson County. Further....people could not know the landslide risks associated with their housing location because such maps are not readily available. The state needs to....prepare landslide mapping for the region so that homes may be built in safe areas.

Asheville's High Risk Real Estate

Western North Carolina's High Risk Real Estate

"Buyers Simply Don't Know to Beware"

Western North Carolina's High Risk Real Estate...Gambling
with the Unknown