Alex Hunter, owner of Elite Limousines of the Carolinas, is learning that the deadly devastation of Hurricane Helene continues to have a ripple effect long after the Sept. 27 storm that killed more than 100 people across North Carolina alone.
His fleet of motorcoaches and luxury vehicles survived unscathed, but the tropical storm, which caused an estimated $53 billion in damage in North Carolina, has left his business struggling.
More than $13 billion of that loss is attributed to reduced business revenue, impacting employees’ wages, while about $2.8 billion is losses to business and nonprofit properties, according to the community’s daily newspaper, The Asheville Citizen-Times. Many business owners in the picturesque mountain community have turned to loans, grants, and fundraisers to help cover rebuilding costs.
Hunter estimates his company lost $200,000 in October, typically one of the busiest months of the year for weddings and special events.
“It’s our peak season, and that loss has been devastating,” says Hunter, whose company has served Asheville, North Carolina, and surrounding areas since 1992.
Much to overcome
Despite his efforts to keep the business running, Hunter says he’s facing what feels like an onslaught from all sides.
Charter brokers, which act as intermediaries between customers and transportation companies, have approached Elite Limousines with offers Hunter describes as unsustainable.
“They’ll say, ‘We know you’re desperate for work,’ and offer rates far below what’s viable,” Hunter says. “I had one offer of $100 an hour for a coach. After paying for the driver, fuel, and maintenance, there’s no profit left.”
Adding to his frustration, Hunter says some brokers charge clients significantly more than they pay transportation companies like his, pocketing the difference.
Hunter also criticizes unlicensed operators, who he says are advertising transportation services in local forums. These competitors, he claims, lack the necessary permits and insurance to operate legally but undercut established companies on price.
“Meanwhile, when we try to advertise in those same spaces, we get criticized for being a luxury service,” Hunter says.
Established in community
Elite Limousines has long been a staple in the Asheville area, serving major venues such as the iconic Biltmore Estate, which recently reopened after storm repairs, and providing transportation for weddings, corporate events, and tours. The company recently started serving Greenville and Charlotte.
Hunter began working for the company at age 13 washing cars. In 2015, he started Queen City Party Charters based in Charlotte. After his mentor died, he purchased Elite in Asheville in 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the transportation industry to a standstill. He changed the name of the Charlotte location to Elite Limousine-Charlotte.
After weathering the pandemic, Hunter hoped 2024 would be a strong year. Instead, Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented damage, disrupting communication for days and causing widespread cancellations.
Hunter says he also faced backlash from longtime partners he had to notify about service interruptions. Despite the challenges, Hunter has found moments of positivity and gratitude.
“This hurricane really strengthened the bond within our company,” he says. “We supported each other in so many ways, hosting law enforcement for dinners, offering showers to our team and drivers without water, and even housing people involved in relief efforts. It made our core foundation much stronger.”
Hunter has also leaned on the kindness of peers in the industry.
“Jenny Williams-Bokhari from Metro Livery in Nashville has been an incredible resource,” Hunter says. “She connected us with affiliates and other motorcoach operators to help us get through this tough time. People like her show the power of collaboration in this industry.”
Companies like CLT Express in the Charlotte area also stepped up.
“They’ve referred work to us and even helped with hurricane relief,” he says. “Their support has been invaluable.”
Strengthening local ties
In addition to collaborating with others, Hunter used his fleet to assist the community.
“We used our motorcoaches to transport relief goods, and that’s helped put our name out there,” he says. “Schools and others are beginning to notice and reach out for services.”
Hunter believes the key to navigating challenges is finding gratitude amidst difficulty.
“Even when things were tough, we kept moving forward,” he says. “When things go off the skids, how can you find where they’re going right? That gratitude is what helps you see the opportunities.”
Hunter says his immediate goal remains focused on keeping Elite Limousines afloat as Ashville recovers.
“We’ve been here for over 30 years, and we’re still here to serve Asheville,” he says. “It’s frustrating to see out-of-town companies and unlicensed operators taking advantage of the situation while local businesses struggle to recover. But I’m not a quitter.”
Hunter says he takes pride in his team’s resilience and the company’s ability to stay strong through adversity.
“After everything, we even had a DOT audit, and the officer was amazed at how well our company was put together,” he says. “That’s a testament to our hard work and dedication.”
While the road ahead is uncertain, Hunter is determined to keep moving forward with hope and gratitude.
“Some of the best things take patience,” he says. “And I believe we’ll come out of this stronger.”
