WEATHER ADVISORY: Asheville Area Travel & Safety Updates

By David Thompson

As Hurricane Helene continues up the East Coast, bringing inclement weather to the Asheville area and Buncombe County, resident and visitor safety is a top priority. Use this guide to access local information, weather advisories, attraction and business closures, event updates and area hotels taking local resident reservations during this weather event.

Helpful Resources
Closures
Event Cancellations
Hotel Accommodations for Residents

Weather Advisory: Hurricane Helene

Buncombe County has declared a local state of emergency following Governor Roy Cooper’s state of emergency for North Carolina as the area prepares for the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The county’s emergency management plan will remain in effect until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, or until it is rescinded. Historic flooding is expected in the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers. According to the National Weather Service, individuals in Fletcher and Biltmore Village near the rivers should self-evacuate before anticipated crests overnight Friday and into Saturday morning. Flooding may rival or surpass flooding from the 1916 flood.

First Baptist Church Swannanoa has opened community sheltering, and Trinity Baptist Church will open a shelter at 3 p.m. Thursday.

The City of Asheville is providing storm updates through its website and advising community members to monitor the WAZE app and Drive NC.gov  for real-time road closures and hazard information.

The City of Asheville also encourages community members to monitor other government or service provider websites and social media for their latest information.

The County has established a NON-Emergency line for community reports: 828-250-6650. This is for things like downed trees, debris, power line concerns. Please call 9-1-1 for life-threatening situations.

Helpful Resources

City of Asheville Info and Updates

Buncombe County Info and Updates

North Carolina Info and Updates

NCDOT Road Closure Map

National Weather Service

Duke Energy Power Outage Map

Waze Map of Road Closures

Asheville Airport Open

The Asheville Airport remains open. Passengers are asked to check with their airlines, as some flights have been cancelled.

Closures

Please check attraction and business websites and social media channels for the most up-to-date information.

Blue Ridge Parkway: The Blue Ridge Parkway is expected to be closed through the weekend. Specific information and updates on closed sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway is available here.
Biltmore Estate: Closed from Sept. 26 - Sept. 27. More info here.
Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests have closed campgrounds, roads and recreation areas. More info here
Mount Mitchell State Park and Gorges State Park have been closed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. More info here.
Grandfather Mountain is closed Sept. 26 and Sept. 27. More info here.
Click here for all North Carolina State Park closures.
All City of Asheville city parks, community centers, and public facilities are closed on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27.
All Buncombe County parks are closed.

Event Cancellations

Please keep in mind that some events may be canceled, and for the most up-to-date information, we recommend checking directly with the event organizers to confirm the status of specific events.

Hotel Accommodations for Residents

Listed below are hotel and lodging partners in the area welcoming reservations from residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. Note: Please call directly and inquire about local booking and rates with the manager on duty. You may be asked for proof of residency at check-in.

If you or someone you know needs accommodations, we encourage you to explore these options:

AC Hotel (Downtown) - (828) 258-2522

Aloft Asheville (Downtown) - (828) 232-2838

Baymont Inn and Suites - (828) 274-2022

Best Western Asheville - (828) 298-5562

Biltmore Farms Hotels - (828) 274-8707

Brookstone Lodge - (828) 398-5888

Cambria Hotel (Downtown) - (828) 348-4850

Candlewood Suites Downtown - (828) 220-0300

Clarion Inn Biltmore Village - (828) 274-0101

Country Inn and Suites Asheville Downtown Tunnel Road - (828) 254-4311

Country Inn and Suites, Asheville River Arts District - (828) 772-3188