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U.S. Forest Service ranger briefs Norton council on Hurricane Helene damage, salvage sales and spring road work
Summary
Clinch District Ranger Tiffany Cummins told Norton City Council that Hurricane Helene caused substantial ridge-line blowdown and road damage; the forest service completed the Thunderstruck salvage harvest, will finish High Knob in spring, and plans road, culvert and restoration contracts as well as prescribed fire and trail projects in 2026.
Tiffany Cummins, Clinch District Ranger for the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, briefed Norton City Council on Feb. 17 about recovery and restoration work after Hurricane Helene.
Cummins said the district experienced significant blowdown along ridge lines and road damage that complicated salvaging timber and delayed damage assessment. "The way this community came together was something I was personally very proud of as a ranger," she said, praising coordination with Norton staff and local sheriffs to reopen roads and restore access. She described hand crews cutting roads where heavy equipment could not reach.
The district completed the Thunderstruck salvage harvest and expects to finish the High Knob sale in spring, with restoration work to follow. Cummins said planned 2026 work includes continued timber sales consistent with Executive Order 14225, prescribed fire, trail development and accessibility projects, and culvert and road repairs at locations including Eagle Knob, Powell, Jasper Cliff and Maple Gap. She said the forest service hopes to finalize contracts to clear roadside debris and handle washouts and minor landslides.
Cummins thanked the City of Norton for ongoing collaboration and said she hopes to attend meetings more regularly to keep the council informed.
