After Hurricane Helene caused massive flooding in Western North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has issued a “Do Not Travel” order for the area. Many roads are closed, including parts of major highways like I-40 and I-26. The damage is so severe that some roads may stay closed for a year.
NC DOT Announces Major Highway Closures in Western North Carolina
Hurricane Helene’s heavy rains caused major damage to I-40 near the Tennessee border. Floodwaters washed out large sections of the highway, and it could take up to a year to repair. Right now, officials say the road might not open again until October 2025. This closure affects a 43-mile stretch of I-40, from Exit 432 in Tennessee to Exit 20 in North Carolina.
I-26 is also closed at the Tennessee state line. The closure runs from mile marker 39 to the North Carolina border. With these highways closed, getting around Western North Carolina is nearly impossible. The NCDOT has warned that all roads in the region should be considered closed, even if they’re not listed as such on their website.
Freight and Trucking Impact
The no-travel order applies to all vehicles, including trucks carrying freight into the region. A spokesperson from the NCDOT said, “we do not yet have an established detour for I-40,” and repeated that “all roads in Western North Carolina are considered closed. You should delay your travels in that region.” Without a safe route through the area, trucking companies and drivers need to hold off on entering the region.
Anyone evacuating from Asheville or nearby towns is advised to take I-40 East or I-26 East, which are still open.
NC DOT is Monitoring Road Closures
Drivers can stay updated on road closures by visiting the NCDOT’s website, DriveNC.gov. The site allows users to check for closed roads in specific counties or along specific routes. There’s even an option to filter the results to show only the roads affected by Hurricane Helene.
However, the NC DOT has warned that the list of closed roads might not be complete. “Damage is so widespread in Western North Carolina, and there are power outages and cell phone service issues, that not all closed roads” are listed on DriveNC.gov yet, said an NCDOT representative.
Tennessee Road Closures
Tennessee has also been affected by the storm. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has closed I-26 from mile marker 39 to the North Carolina border. Many local roads in Eastern Tennessee are also closed because of flooding. Truck drivers and other motorists can use TDOT SmartWay to get updates on road closures in the state.
Long-Term Repairs
Repairing I-40 and other damaged roads will take a long time. Officials are still assessing the damage, but it’s clear that some roads won’t reopen anytime soon. In the meantime, the NCDOT is urging everyone to avoid Western North Carolina unless travel is absolutely necessary.
Drivers and truckers should regularly check DriveNC.gov and TDOT SmartWay for the latest updates on road conditions.
