NORTH CAROLINA, USA — The North Carolina Department of Transportation is urging people to avoid unnecessary travel in western North Carolina after they reported about 390 roads remain closed. Many of the roads were faced with flooding, downed trees, landslides, and damage from Helene.
NCDOT said more than 60 closures are along primary routes, such as I-40, U.S. 74, U.S. 64, and dozens of other highways. Most of the road closures are west of Interstate 77, where the roads are impassable from flooding or covered by debris from rock slides, downed power lines, and fallen trees.
"Our top priority is everyone’s safety and well-being,” State Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins said. “People should still consider roads in western North Carolina to be closed and avoid travel unless it is absolutely necessary. Priority must be given to all the emergency responders, utility and transportation crews, and others who are working hard to help with what will be a lengthy response and recovery effort."
Crews will prioritize efforts to reopen interstates along with U.S. and state highways before focusing on state-maintained secondary roads.
Over 1,600 NCDOT employees and contract crews are working to clear roads of debris and determine how to repair more seriously damaged or destroyed roads.
According to DriveNC.gov, all roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed with I-40 and I-26 impassable at multiple locations.
You can find more information about road closures from Helene on DriveNC.gov.
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