Hurricane Helene shook up Asheville’s leaf season—should you still plan a fall trip?
Hurricane Helene left its mark on Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. Find out how to travel there safely during leaf season, support local businesses, and help communities recover.
Asheville, North Carolina, and its surrounding small towns are among the most popular autumn destinations in Southern Appalachia, drawing visitors from around the world. Known as a hiker's paradise, Asheville offers breathtaking mountain views, a colorful arts scene, and world-class dining. Having lived in the area for eight years, I’ve seen its beauty firsthand, which makes it even harder to watch the changes brought by Hurricane Helene.
In late September, the storm hit Western North Carolina and East Tennessee hard, leaving destruction in the mountain towns visitors love. Normally, fall is Western Carolina’s peak tourist season, drawing crowds for its brilliant foliage. But this year is different. The big question is: Should you visit this fall?
It’s not a simple yes or no. The answer depends on the location, and knowing which areas are accessible is key. Let’s break down the situation, how you can help, and whether it’s the right time to go.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene hit the coast of Florida on Sept. 26 and traveled north, causing widespread flooding and damage across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina on Sept. 27.
In East Tennessee, the Nolichucky Dam saw over 1.2 million gallons of water per second flowing over it during the storm. That’s nearly twice the daily flow of Niagara Falls. By some estimates, Helene caused $47.5 billion in damages from wind and flood losses, a truly unfathomable figure.
“It's not safe to be on the roads,” journalist Ellie Whittington, who is from Wilkes County, North Carolina, told me on Oct. 15. “There's so many roads that just drop off, or there's power lines, and you just don't see them. It gets dark earlier and earlier now too, at about 6:30.”
The areas that many travelers love to visit — accented by rivers, lakes, and scenic mountain roads — have been deeply affected. Communities are still in the early stages of recovery, with nearly every local business struggling to get back on their feet.
Should you still visit?
If possible, yes! Tourism is a key driver of the region’s economy, particularly during the fall. Tourism destinations are working hard to re-welcome visitors while the mountains’ seasonal foliage show is still before us. Currently, a few spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway are open so leaf-peepers can take in the breathtaking colors.
Before planning your trip, research the current conditions. Some towns and regions remain unsafe due to damaged infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Driving through the mountains at night, in particular, can be dangerous due to ongoing road repairs. The best thing to do is keep a pulse on the local updates through travel guides and bloggers, along with official information from tourism boards.
Guidance for visiting Asheville and Western Carolina this fall
If you're planning to visit Asheville and Western Carolina this fall, it's important to be mindful of the area's recovery from Hurricane Helene. Many areas are still dealing with the aftermath of the storm, and recovery is far from complete. Your visit can help, but it's important to respect the challenges locals face.
Understand the current situation
For instance, the city of Asheville had no running water for weeks. And while water utilities have returned, many residents still use pop-up showers due to residual contamination from the floods.
Check road conditions and safety warnings before traveling
Many roads have been severely damaged by flooding, and fallen trees and power lines pose risks, especially at night. Sections of Interstate 40 — the main highway running between Western North Carolina and East Tennessee — are still impassable or completely gone. Plan your routes carefully, and use real-time resources like NC DOT and TDOT to check for road closures and updates.
Confirm which areas are open for visitors
Some towns are still recovering and not ready for tourism, so double-check before you go. In addition to official updates, local guides and content creators such as @Smoky.Mountain.Soul on Instagram post real-time information with helpful tips on how to visit post-Helene.
Help by donating, volunteering, and shopping local
Western North Carolina and East Tennessee may still be recovering, but many amazing local businesses are open and eager to welcome respectful visitors. Now more than ever, your holiday shopping and patronage can make a big difference.
Know what key attractions are open or closed
In addition to the towns and municipalities, check local attractions directly before driving there. For instance, the famous Blue Ridge Parkway is now open from milepost 0 to milepost 200.1 in Virginia, along with the stretch from milepost 285.5 (at Bamboo Gap) to milepost 305 (near Beacon Heights) in the Blowing Rock, North Carolina area.
Adjust your expectations for fall leaf season
Foliage may not be as vibrant due to storm damage, but there’s still plenty to experience.
Don’t treat destruction like a tourist attraction
Yes, it’s unbelievable. No, it’s not OK to clog up the roads and gawk at the damage of people’s homes and businesses. Don’t take photos or videos of the destruction unless you have a helpful reason for doing so.
Check to see if your accommodations are still available
Some hotels, restaurants and shops may still be affected. Confirm bookings ahead of time, and if they are closed, consider paying for your stay anyway.
Be respectful—locals are processing trauma
Remember that residents are still dealing with both the emotional and physical toll of the disaster. Show empathy, patience, and respect for people’s space as they navigate this challenging recovery period.
Whittington, who was in Wilkes County with her family during the aftermath of Helene, shared a heartbreaking example that emphasizes how real the devastation has been for people: “A volunteer reached out to me a couple of days ago, saying they needed help with cadaver removal,” she recalled. “I was asked if I wanted to help clean up the creek bank where I was volunteering. I was very hesitant. I’ve seen cars and lawnmowers turned over, and it’s a known fact that there are likely body parts.”
It’s asking a lot of our tourist towns to quickly recover from the fear of contaminated water, missing persons, and the destruction of beloved community spaces. One local creator shared how she was honked at for driving slowly while being hit with the emotional weight of the situation. Such impatience should never be the case. The devastation runs deeper than what meets the eye, and locals live with these harsh realities daily. Visitors should approach with empathy and respect for the magnitude of what these communities are enduring.
Consider visiting weeks or months from now
While the media attention will fade, the need for support will continue, especially for agritourism, which plays a major role in the region's economy.
As Whittington noted, "Agritourism is going to definitely hurt, as well as Christmas tree farming.” She explained that visits to local farms, including Christmas tree and alpaca farms, is a popular experience in the Boone area and its surrounding communities like Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Valle Crucis, and Seven Devils. Check out this list of Christmas tree agritourism experiences and consider taking a family visit in November and December.
When you do visit, travel mindfully. Follow local guidelines, and be aware of how your presence can support the region's recovery.
Use resources for real-time updates and support
For the latest updates on conditions and travel advisories, here’s a list of tourism boards you can follow:
Western North Carolina Tourism Boards
Explore Asheville
Website: https://www.exploreasheville.com
Instagram: @exploreashevilleVisit North Carolina
Website: https://www.visitnc.com
Instagram: @visitncBlue Ridge Parkway Association
Website: https://www.blueridgeparkway.org
Instagram: @blueridgeparkwayHigh Country Host (Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk)
Website: https://highcountryhost.com
Instagram: @nc_highcountryHendersonville Visitor Center
Website: https://www.visithendersonvillenc.org
Instagram: @visit_hendersonville_ncVisit Cherokee
Website: https://visitcherokeenc.com
Instagram: @visitcherokeencVisit Asheville's Biltmore Estate
Website: https://www.biltmore.com
Instagram: @biltmoreestate
East Tennessee Tourism Boards
Visit Knoxville
Website: https://www.visitknoxville.com
Instagram: @visitknoxvilleDiscover Blount (Great Smoky Mountains, Townsend, Maryville)
Website: https://www.smokymountains.org
Instagram: @peacefulsmokiesVisit Sevierville
Website: https://www.visitsevierville.com
Instagram: @visitseviervillePigeon Forge Department of Tourism
Website: https://www.mypigeonforge.com
Instagram: @mypigeonforgeVisit Gatlinburg
Website: https://www.gatlinburg.com
Instagram: @visitgatlinburgGreat Smoky Mountains National Park
Website: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
Instagram: @greatsmokynpsChattanooga Tourism Co.
Website: https://www.visitchattanooga.com
Instagram: @visitchatt
Megan DeMatteo is a nationally published writer and solopreneur inspiring escapes from the cubicle. Her work appears in Fodor’s, Dwell, Insider, Marie Claire, and more.