The Southeast U.S. continues its recovery following the devastating Hurricane Helene, which made landfall along Florida’s “Big Bend” coast last week. More than 100,000 people in each of Georgia and North and South Carolina remain without power. More than 10,00 each in Florida and Virginia are also without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
Hardest hit was North Carolina, which received three months’ worth of rain in just three days, according to a report by The Guardian. Almost half of the 215-plus deaths have come from the state, as well.
“State and local officials strongly advise all motorists avoid travel in Western North Carolina due to the continued challenges and risks from riverine flooding, landslides, slope failures, road closures and downed trees,” Visit North Carolina said in a travel advisory updated Friday morning. “Power and cell phone service outages are also widespread as are shortages of water, food and gas.”
It continued: “Visitors should call their travel provider to confirm alternative travel plans, including reservations with lodging providers, and heed any guidance from local officials. If you cannot reach your travel provider, you should consider them to be unavailable and delay your trip until you have confirmation they are open and ready to welcome visitors.
“While travelers should generally avoid the mountains in Western North Carolina, there are less impacted areas in the far western section of the state ready and welcoming visitors including the counties of Cherokee (Murphy area), Clay (Hayesville area), Graham (Robbinsville area), Macon (Franklin and Highlands area) and Swain (Bryson City area). Visitors should call ahead to confirm their plans and ensure safe routes for travel to access these mountain destinations. Piedmont and Coastal destinations are also ready and welcoming visitors.”
Said Visit Virginia: "For visitors planning to travel to or through the southwestern region of Virginia in the coming weeks, please be aware there are some areas without power or phone service, and you may encounter closed roads and storm debris along the way. Please exercise caution and allow extra travel time during this developing situation. While travel in some Southwest Virginia destinations is challenging at this time, some counties and cities in the region are open and ready to welcome visitors.
"Anyone traveling in these areas should confirm their travel plans to ensure their desired destinations and attractions are able to welcome visitors. Visitors should plan driving routes in advance using the 511 Virginia resource from the Virginia Department of Transportation."
In South Carolina, welcome centers in Landrum and North Augusta are closed until further notice. You can visit southcarolinaparks.com for a full list of state parks that are closed, as well.
In Florida, seaports, airports, rail and transit agencies all resumed operations earlier this week. St. Petersburg's downtown businesses and attractions were largely unaffected by Hurricane Helene. Central Avenue, Fourth Street and other business corridors are open.
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