Visit North Carolina said the impact from Hurricane Helene is widespread throughout the state’s mountain and foothill regions and recommended visitors do not travel into the mountains.
“If you cannot reach your travel provider, you should consider them to be unavailable and delay your trip until you have confirmation they are open and ready to welcome visitors,” Visit North Carolina said. “Impacts from the storm’s extremely heavy rainfall and high winds remain widespread throughout the mountain and foothill regions.”
State and local officials are strongly advising motorists to avoid travel in western North Carolina due to the continued risk of flash flooding, landslides, damaging debris flows, slope failures, riverine flooding and downed trees. Power and cell phone service outages are widespread.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, is asking travelers to reschedule their trips because several roads, trails and areas are closed.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy urges hikers to avoid trips to the southern Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to central Virginia, as the states of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia have declared a state of emergency.
“There is a risk of landslides in many areas, and much of the Appalachian Trail in the south is inaccessible due to road closures,” the conservancy said on its website.
Hotel closures in Asheville, N.C.
Several hotels and resorts in the North Carolina mountain city of Asheville have temporarily closed after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc.
The Omni Grove Park Inn announced on its website that the hotel is temporarily closed until further notice due to the storm’s impact.
“There is currently no power or water,” the Omni Grove Park Inn said, adding that the hotel is not accepting new reservations while assessing the situation.
The Grand Bohemian Asheville cited safety concerns for guests and staff in its decision to close temporarily. The hotel directed visitors to check its social media and website for updates on reopening.
The Foundry Hotel Asheville, which is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, posted an update on Hilton’s booking platform that it is currently closed due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.
The Restoration Hotel Asheville and the Kimpton Hotel Arras similarly announced temporary closures via social media, with many other Asheville hotels appearing to have paused reservations for at least the remainder of this week.
In an Instagram post, the Restoration Hotel Asheville said it is currently focused on “supporting our affected associates, assessing the damage and building back stronger than ever.”
“We are so incredibly grateful for your love and support and look forward to serving you again as soon as it’s safe to do so,” the hotel added.
The historic Biltmore Estate, Asheville’s biggest attraction, also is closed.
“Due to significant flooding, impassable roads and widespread power outages in our region from Tropical Storm Helene, Biltmore is temporarily closed,” the estate announced, adding that the property is currently assessing damage.
The Biltmore added that its call center is experiencing “intermittent internet access and cellular service.”
Andrea Zelinski contributed to this report.