Several roads remain closed due to Hurricane Helene’s impact, especially in North Carolina and Southwest Florida. In North Carolina, about 390 roads are still closed, particularly in the western part of the state. The closures include sections of I-40, U.S. 74, and U.S. 64, primarily due to flooding, downed trees, and landslides. The affected areas are mostly west of Interstate 77, and many of the closures are expected to last for an extended period due to severe damage.
I-26 is currently closed in several locations due to the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Specifically, the section of I-26 north of Asheville will remain shut down until March 2025 as repair work continues. This closure is part of ongoing road maintenance and recovery efforts after significant flooding and damage to infrastructure in the region
Travelers are advised to seek alternate routes, as both I-40 and I-26 have been severely impacted, and numerous detours are in place. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is assessing the damage and working on repairs, but the timeline for reopening these interstates is still uncertain.
In Southwest Florida, Cleveland Avenue (US 41) remains closed in both directions due to a downed power line, though part of it reopened recently. McGregor Boulevard is also closed between Port Comfort Road and the Sanibel Toll Plaza due to flooding.
North Carolina
- U.S. 74: Certain stretches are closed, mainly in the mountainous areas, because of high water and debris.
- I-40: Closed in multiple sections west of Interstate 77 due to landslides and flooding, particularly in mountainous regions.
- U.S. 64: Significant stretches remain blocked due to high water and mudslides in the foothills.
- NC Highway 209: Closed in areas near Hot Springs due to damage from landslides.
- NC Highway 63: Impassable near the Leicester region due to flooding.
- I-26: Currently closed in several locations due to the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Specifically, the section of I-26 north of Asheville will remain shut down until March 2025 as repair work continues.
- U.S. 276: Blocked in several places due to fallen trees and rockslides, particularly near the Pisgah Forest area.
- Blue Ridge Parkway: Sections around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are closed because of landslides and debris.
Florida
- Cleveland Avenue (US 41): Closed in both directions in parts due to a downed power line, though some areas near Hill Avenue have recently reopened.
- McGregor Boulevard: Closed between Port Comfort Road and the Sanibel Toll Plaza due to flooding.
- Pine Island Road: Flooded in several areas, making it impassable.
- Estero Boulevard: Parts of this road on Fort Myers Beach remain flooded and closed.
Note that this list is likely incomplete. Please refer to official sources for more updated information.
Power Restoration
Power restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene have made significant progress across various counties, but many areas are still facing outages. In Burke County, NC, power outages have decreased from 73% to 64%, with crews continuing to work tirelessly to restore electricity. In South Carolina Upstate, Duke Energy has restored power to 723,000 customers, though around 534,000 customers remain without power in the Upstate. Laurens Electric Cooperative has restored 25% of its coverage area. Multiple electric cooperatives, including Blue Ridge Electric, are handling severe damage in Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, and Spartanburg counties, and these areas are expected to face outages for several more days. Restoration efforts are ongoing, and estimates indicate that power could be fully restored by mid-week for many areas.
Here’s a breakdown of power restoration in Western North Carolina counties:
- Buncombe County: Around 85% of power has been restored, but thousands remain affected, particularly in rural areas.
- Haywood County: Approximately 70% restored, with many still without power in the mountainous regions.
- Jackson County: Roughly 65% restored, with efforts ongoing in remote areas.
- Macon County: 75% restored, with more than 1,500 customers still impacted by downed trees and lines.
- Henderson County: About 80% of power has been restored, with ongoing efforts in rural areas.
- Transylvania County: Approximately 60% of customers have power back, especially in hard-to-reach areas near the national forests.
- Swain County: 65% restoration, but remote regions are still heavily impacted.
- Madison County: Around 50% restored, with continued challenges due to damage in higher elevations.
- Yancey County: About 55% of power has been restored, with the more remote areas still facing significant outages.
- Mitchell County: 60% restored, but rural communities are still in need of repairs.
- Avery County: Approximately 65% of customers have power restored, with continuing efforts in mountainous regions.
- Watauga County: Roughly 70% of power has been restored, focusing on higher elevations.
Internet
In Western North Carolina, many counties are still experiencing internet outages after Hurricane Helene, though efforts to restore services continue. For Buncombe County, partial internet access has returned with the help of Verizon and T-Mobile, which set up temporary mobile towers in Asheville and surrounding areas. In Haywood, Madison, and Henderson counties, internet services are gradually being restored, but many rural areas remain disconnected. Efforts in other counties such as Jackson, Macon, and Transylvania are ongoing, with estimates of full restoration varying by region.
As more services are restored, establishments are beginning to regain the ability to accept debit and credit cards.
Verizon: Deployed mobile cell towers in Asheville (Buncombe County) to restore internet and cell service. Temporary towers are offering limited coverage in affected areas.
T-Mobile: Sent trucks with cellular and charging stations to Fletcher (Henderson County) and Greenwood, aiding internet restoration.
AT&T: Gradual restoration in counties like Haywood and Macon, but significant rural areas remain without full service.
Charter/Spectrum: Working on restoring broadband services across Transylvania and Jackson counties.
The lists of roads, power restoration percentages, and internet service restoration provided following Hurricane Helene are based on the most current information available from various sources. Conditions may change rapidly due to ongoing recovery efforts, road assessments, and weather impacts.
Travelers and residents are strongly advised to consult official sources such as the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and local utility companies for real-time updates and further details on road conditions, power restoration, and internet services. Always prioritize safety and follow local guidelines during recovery efforts.
For more detailed and updated information, please refer to: