This Is the Truth About Traveling in TN and NC After the Floods

submerged Van in the Swannanoa River near Biltmore Village after Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC

Guests are encouraged not to visit Western North Carolina right now, according to officials. Pictured: A submerged van in the Swannanoa River near Biltmore Village after Hurricane Helene in Asheville (photo by FS/istockphoto.com)

Should you travel to the mountains? The complicated answer: It depends

While it’s not the first concern on anyone’s mind – people and their livelihoods and property will always come first – those who have booked vacations for the mountains of Western North Carolina and East Tennessee are left in a bit of a quandary about what exactly they should do next.

The answer depends very much on which part of the mountains you plan to visit. While Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge were not heavily affected and remain open for business, the people of Western North Carolina and Upper East Tennessee are facing unimaginable hardships in the face of nearly incomprehensible devastation.

Rescue, recovery and relief efforts remain underway

Roads, bridges and even small communities are just gone, washed away from the mountains in a torrent of rainfall that the Tennessee Valley Authority called a once-in-5,000-year event. So, what should we do? Well, one of the North Carolina County’s tourism development groups is offering an idea … reschedule. 

From water to power and roads, the infrastructure of the region through most – if not all – of Western North Carolina is decimated. The situation is similar in Upper East Tennessee, essentially around Cocke County. You’ve seen the news. You know the region faced one of the most deadly and damaging storms in U.S. history. Some people still need to be rescued. There are missing people that haven’t been found. The people of those regions need to focus on their friends, families and neighbors. 

They need time to get water and power back. Some need time to work out new living arrangements. They all will need time to process the trauma of the last seven days. And, maybe most importantly, they will need time to mourn.

Damage to the Biltmore Estate after Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC
Damage to the Biltmore Estate after Hurricane Helene in Asheville (photo by FS/istockphoto.com)

Should I go to Western North Carolina?

In short, no. The good people at the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority – representing Canton, Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska – took the proactive step of issuing a statement asking people who booked their vacations to the area to reschedule their upcoming trips for another time.

“We are taking things one day at a time right now and it means a lot to us to hear from you. First and foremost, Visit Haywood’s No. 1 priority is public safety. In collaboration with Haywood County organizations, including County Government, Emergency Services, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Chamber of Commerce, we are strongly encouraging visitors to reschedule their upcoming trips for another time.”

Press release from Visit Haywood

The release continues, “This decision also follows the direction of Governor Cooper, Visit North Carolina, and other state officials to advise against travel to impacted areas in Western North Carolina. Until further notice, we are asking all visitors to please refrain from traveling to Haywood County, as visitors may place additional strain on disaster relief efforts. This region is still in an active emergency, and all resources need to be entirely focused on our residents and emergency workers.”

Most of Western North Carolina is not a place for visitors now

“Popular roads for fall foliage sightseeing including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cataloochee Valley, US 276, and NC 215 are currently impassable or closed. All public lands, federal and local, are closed. Many other roads are blocked by mud and debris or are washed out. Gas and food are in very short supply and there is extremely limited cell service and internet. Most of Haywood County is under a boil water advisory. There is a county-wide curfew from 9 pm to 7 am,” the release said.

“Some businesses throughout Haywood County have started to reopen to provide much-needed services and food for locals. However, due to the internet outage, many are only taking cash payments and what they can offer is limited.”

Again, now is not the time for guests. If you booked your vacation in these areas in the upcoming weeks, I hope you got trip insurance. But under no circumstance should you try to vacation or even visit Western North Carolina or parts of Northeast Tennessee, even if your map app says you can get there by taking a couple of dozen back roads.

If you’re not coming to help in some serious, needed and official capacity, then support the community by visiting another time.

bridge with flooding
Some flooding in Sevier County after Hurricane Helene (photo by Bill Burris/TheSmokies.com)

What about Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge?

It is a good idea to check with the National Park Service for closures to popular visitor roads and facilities. Some trails and backroads remain inaccessible.

But for the most part, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevier County mostly dodged the devastation, and they are open for business. In fact, they need business. Sevier County is not included – at least not yet – in the Federal Disaster Relief options currently available.

Business owners in Sevier County don’t have access to federal money to make up for lost revenue. And, October is usually one of the busiest months of the year. Therefore, Sevier County businesses need visitors to come and spend money so they can make it through the leaner off-season.

I want to take a moment and stop here to say the people of the mountains are not so callous as to put their financial needs first. There is a long mountain tradition of dropping everything to run to a neighbor in need. We’re not called Volunteers for nothing, you know.

The people of Sevier County understand what should come first. They remember the outpouring of support in the wake of the deadly forest fires of 2016. Certainly, they are repaying the kindness given to them. They have been among the first on the frontline offering aid and comfort to their neighbors in Cocke County and beyond.

I can assure you that they know people come before profits. But there are business owners – and their employees – who need the revenue from tourism to survive. If they lose the majority of their business this October, they might not be here for the next one. It is a dilemma.

Downtown Asheville NC
Downtown Asheville before Hurricane Helene (photo by James Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

When will things be back to normal?

The answer is probably both sooner than we think and also never, right? All we have to do is look at other tragedies in the nation’s history and we know that step by step, day by day, things will get better. There will come a point where the devastation of the mountains fades and the recovery rises.

But we also know that even when things turn back to “normal” there will be places that will never be back to “normal,” not really. Again, look at places like Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Things will get better there than they are now. But I have a hard time believing they will ever return to what they were.

A more practical answer probably revolves around the return of key pieces of infrastructure. Major sections of I-40 and I-26 are closed or gone. I’ve seen speculation that I-40 won’t re-open until the summer of 2025 or later. But my understanding is that it remains speculation, no matter what Google Maps says. Bridges are gone. Roads are gone. These things can be rebuilt but it will take time. And right now, as of this writing, we’re not far enough along in the recovery process to say definitively how much time.

What to do about your scheduled trip

You can visit if you want, but it’s important to be aware of the current situation. As long as you’re not driving through Western North Carolina – seriously, stay out of Western North Carolina unless you’re aiding in rescue, recovery or relief – then there’s no practical reason not to go to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.

There’s no practical reason to let your vacation time or money go to waste. Businesses there will be open and running whether you come or not. As long as you don’t inconvenience people in affected areas, then your presence in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge won’t make a difference.

Ultimately, each of us will have to decide for ourselves what is right or what feels right. We can’t say “Yes, absolutely, go have fun.” But we also can’t say “No, don’t go. It’s too soon.”

If you’re asking me? I’m hesitant. I’m not quite ready. I’ve spent too much time in the last seven days reading and writing about the storm and the people’s lives who have been affected. I’m not quite ready to focus on other things. But I also acknowledge that in a week or two or three, I will be ready to allow myself to have fun again in the mountains.

Look at it this way. The University of Tennessee football team will host Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12. There will be 100,000 screaming football fans in attendance. I’m sure there will be moments of silence as well as funds and goods raised for the storm victims. It will be moving and touching and appropriate. And then, there will be football. And, if we can play football, can we not also play putt-putt?

flooded store in a non profit in cocke county tennessee after hurricane helene
Empower Thrift Store Flood Damage Cocke County, TN (photo by Dr. Candi Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

How you can help

No matter what you ultimately decide, we would urge you to help the people affected by this horrific tragedy in any way you can. We have a relationship with Empower Cocke County, a boots-on-the-ground organization that is helping aid get directly to those who need it in Cocke County. There are several ways you can help them in that mission.

They include:

Monetary donations: To donate money, please visit their website and click on “Support Us.” In the memo or note section, write “Flood.”

In-kind donations: Empower Cocke County is also accepting item donations. New, clean items are preferred, but all donations are welcome. For daily updates on drop-off times and locations for item donations, please follow Empower Cocke County and TheSmokies.com on Facebook.

Also, if you can’t donate at this time, please help by sharing the message. However, remember that Cocke County isn’t the only affected community. Many worthy organizations are assisting in relief, recovery, and rescue efforts. Pick whichever one is closest to your heart and offer all the support you can. I would only beg you to do a little research and make sure the organization will use your funds or goods as intended. While we are continually amazed at the good and honorable people willing to risk their lives and give fully of themselves to help others, some will take advantage when given the opportunity.

Do be diligent enough to make sure that your goodwill reaches those you intended to help.

Are you planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains soon? Make sure to check out our coupons page before your trip!

Have a question or comment about something in this article? Contact our staff here. You may also contact our editorial team at info@thesmokies.com.

Leave a Comment