Resident and visitor safety remains our top priority, and North Carolina’s departments of safety and transportation continue to monitor conditions to ensure safe travel.

Recovery from Hurricane Helene is ongoing in the mountain and foothill regions of North Carolina. Most highways in Western North Carolina are open with many destinations ready and welcoming visitors for fall travel. However, some roads remain closed or have restrictions. Of particular note:

  • I-40 is closed in both directions from Mile Marker 20 (US 276 west of Lake Junaluska) to Mile Marker 0 at the Tennessee state line.
  • I-26 has reopened at the Tennessee state line with one lane open in both directions. Restrictions and detours remain in place for through truck traffic and wide loads. 
  • DriveNC.gov provides current road conditions throughout the region including alternate route recommendations for through traffic on I-40 and I-26. 

Use the interactive map below for current status in destinations throughout the region. Zooming in on the map and clicking on each county or community provides access to local websites and updates, as also reflected in the listing of mountain and foothill destinations further below. If you are considering a visit to Western North Carolina, please contact the community and businesses you want to visit to ensure they are open and welcoming visitors, and consult DriveNC.gov to identify open roads and a safe route to your destination. 

NC Travel Advisory


Piedmont (central NC) and Coastal (eastern NC) destinations are also ready and welcoming visitors.

Local visitor information on openings, closings and more 

High Country 

Asheville & Foothills

Smoky Mountains & Cherokee

NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS

Blue Ridge Parkway: While most of the Parkway in North Carolina remains closed, the National Park Service (NPS) has restored and reopened multiple sections including access to iconic areas such as Cherokee, Waterrock Knob, Graveyard Fields, the Linn Cove Viaduct, Grandfather Mountain and also the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and Folk Art Center. Please visit the NPS website and social media platforms @BlueRidgeNPS (on Facebook, X and Instgram) for more detail on open and closed sections and facilities. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: As areas within the Park reopen, check the Park's website for current road, facility, trail and backcountry updates.

North Carolina State Parks: While four state parks in Western North Carolina (west of I-77) remain closed, nine including Crowders Mountain, Elk Knob, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain, Lake James, Lake Norman, New River, Rendezvous Mountain and Stone Mountain State Parks have at least partially reopened. Visit the NC State Parks website for additional updates including any limitations within the newly reopened parks. 

Call Center & Welcome Centers

The Visit North Carolina Call Center provides current statewide travel information from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Call 1-800-VISITNC (800-847-4862).

Live assistance is also available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from travel counselors at North Carolina's official Welcome Centers at I-26 East, I-26 West, I-77 North, I-77 South, I-85 North, I-85 South, I-95 North and I-95 South. The I-40 West Welcome Center is closed.

Lodging Assistance

Those looking for accommodations may contact our Call Center at 1-800-VISITNC (800-847-4862). Toll-free phone numbers and booking sites to major chain accommodations can also be found here.

Or travelers can access real-time North Carolina lodging inventory through Expedia and Airbnb. Additional information on Airbnb's partnership with local nonprofits to offer free, temporary housing for those displaced is noted further below under How You May Help/Donate. Several Marriott hotels in the Carolinas are offering a special Neighborhood Rate for those displaced by the storm.

Visit Winston-Salem is listing special offers to help evacuees, first responders and those displaced seeking lodging options. 

How You May Help/Donate

If you’re able and willing to donate to relief efforts for those affected in Western North Carolina, the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is accepting contributions.

The NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund, managed by the NCRLA Foundation, is accepting contributions. All funds raised will go directly to support restaurant and hotel employees in Western North Carolina facing significant financial hardship in the aftermath of the storm. You may donate directly to the fund or consider establishing fundraising efforts in your business and remitting proceeds directly to the NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund. To learn more, please contact Courtney Hamm at chamm@ncrla.org or 919-844-7883.

The North Carolina Arts Foundation is accepting contributions to further their assistance to artists and arts organizations affected by Hurricane Helene. 

Airbnb is partnering with local nonprofits in North Carolina to connect those displaced by the storm with temporary free housing. Find more information on the offering, how to provide free or discounted stays or make a donation to relief efforts here.

Southern Smoke Foundation is also offering emergency assistance to workers in the food and beverage industry in North Carolina who have been affected. Contributions to their efforts can be made here. 

Recovery Resources

Individuals, families and businesses seeking assistance in the aftermath of the storm can find a listing of resources from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina here.