North Carolina State Parks and Recreation
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 11:18 am

The North Carolina Parks announces Christopher Norrington, a maintenance and construction technician at Chimney Rock State Park was awarded the Governor's Award for Human Relations at the Governor's Awards ceremony.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the September 2024 storm that brought historic flooding to the Rocky Broad River, Norrington became a lifeline for his community and a model public servant. Before the worst of the hurricane arrived, he closed the park, secured safety barriers, and later returned in worsening conditions to save a park tractor and chainsaws just hours before the maintenance warehouse was destroyed. Over the next four days, he worked nearly nonstop, clearing roads, checking on residents, assisting evacuations and welfare checks, supporting swift water rescue efforts, and helping unload supplies for local shelters. He carried out each task quietly and selflessly, driven not by recognition but by a deep commitment to the people he serves.

Norrington exemplifies the best of us, North Carolina State Parks said.

To the residents of Rutherford County, he is a hero. To North Carolina, he is a shining example of the values that guide the work every day.

To watch an interview with Chris, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU9rSeKH5DU