Western North Carolina is still recovering from remnants of Hurricane Helene in October 2024; so you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information — if this region is in your travel plans over the next few weeks.
Western North Carolina Still Recovering From Remnants of Hurricane Helene: October 2024 Travel Alert
An official statement at the official Internet web site of Asheville Regional Airport declares that the airport is open and commercial flights are operating — but it also gives other emergency information in an effort to answer as many questions as possible — including renting a vehicle and retrieving emergency supplies as two of many topics.
The main reason why western North Carolina was impacted by the former tropical system is because it was located on the east side of the storm. As hurricanes are actually very strong low pressure systems, they rotate counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere — which means that the winds on the east side of the storm eventually moved from south to north and brought substantial precipitation to the area.
The amount of precipitation proved to be too much for the infrastructure and the topography of western North Carolina, whose hills and mountains channeled the floodwaters through narrow areas and cut off entire towns. Recovery has been painstakingly slow.
Portions of Interstate 40 have been damaged to the point that they may not be fully repaired for another year, which means that they may not reopen until October of 2025. An official Internet web site of the North Carolina Department of Transportation gives detailed information on roads and highways that were impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Helene — as well as the following warning:
DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
There are shortages of water, food, gas, power, and communications in western NC.
Essential travel only to and within western North Carolina.
You cannot get from North Carolina to TN via I-40 or I-26. The estimated repair time for I-40 is unknown at this time.
Detour Information for Cars and Trucks
Flight Waivers, Delays, and Cancellations
If you are traveling to or from western North Carolina, expect delays and possible cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information which may adversely affect your travel plans.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for closed roads and traffic problems.
Here are four airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of the remnants of this tropical weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for Asheville in North Carolina and Augusta in Georgia for Sunday, September 29, 2024 through Thursday, October 31, 2024; and Thursday, November 7, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for Asheville in North Carolina and Valdosta in Georgia for Sunday, September 29, 2024 through Thursday, October 31, 2024; and Tuesday, December 31, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued a travel alert for Asheville for Monday, September 30, 2024 through Thursday, October 31, 2024; and Tuesday, December 31, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Allegiant Air will be adjusting its flight schedule for flights into and out of the Ashville, North Carolina airport. If your flight is affected, you will receive an e-mail notification from Allegiant with your options.
Final Boarding Call
Western North Carolina was affected by the remnants of Hurricane Helene when it was weakening from tropical storm status — so imagine the damage and destruction that a direct landfall of Hurricane Milton can potentially do to the greater Tampa Bay metropolitan area and surrounding areas in Florida. Recovery could take months in that region.
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
As an incentive to help the victims of Hurricane Helene and earn some miles in the process, you can earn ten American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles for every dollar you donate to the American Red Cross with a minimum donation of $25.00 through Friday, October 18, 2024.
Photograph ©2017 by Brian Cohen.
