As Tropical Storm Helene continues to batter Western North Carolina, roads are closed across the region due to flooding, fallen trees, rockslides and mudslides impacting roads.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is urging all avoid travel in Western North Carolina, NCDOT spokesperson Jen Goodwin said.
“We strongly advise people do not travel or go anywhere unnecessarily,” Jen Goodwin said, noting that many crews are responding but are having difficulties with communication services and ongoing high winds. Goodwin suggested that those who have downed trees on NCDOT maintained roads call +1 (877) DOT-4YOU.
“Unless you are seeking higher ground, motorists should not travel in this area, should not attempt to drive through standing water and must respect barricades and road closure signs,” the update on DriveNC.gov, the NCDOT road monitoring service, reads.
During a Sept. 27 emergency news conference, Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said that residents should consider “all roads closed.” Here’s what to know: