TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR HAYWOOD COUNTY, NC
TRAVEL INFORMATION: TROPICAL STORM HELENE (OCTOBER 30, 2024) —
Last updated: 10/30/24 at 9:08AM.
TRAVEL CONDITIONS
Haywood County is open for business! The NCDOT has given us the green light for travel, and our five beautiful communities––Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Canton, Clyde, and Lake Junaluska––stand ready to welcome you for an unforgettable mountain experience.
We’re posting weekly updates with the latest information here: 10/3/24, 10/10/24, 10/17/24, 10/24/24.
The mountainous topography of Haywood County means that the impact of Tropical Storm Helene varied across the county. While some residential and outlying areas felt the storm in full force, the vast majority of local businesses and attractions are open and excited to greet visitors.
With the continued support of our loyal visitors, Haywood County emerges stronger every day! As you explore, the best way to show your support is to shop and dine locally. Each visit makes a meaningful difference.
Stay up to date on which local businesses are open at VisitHaywood.com/helene and check availability directly with your accommodations. A list of lodging options is available here.
Thank you for your patience, kindness, and support during our recovery. Below, you’ll find more information on road conditions and recommended routes, outdoor recreation updates, and important resources. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Click the links below to view a map of the advised route to Haywood County from your location.
From Indiana, Ohio, or Kentucky.
The above maps are current as of 10/22/24.
The NCDOT map now shows Haywood County outside of the ‘essential travel only’ zone. However, some local road closures remain in effect.
I-40W at Exit 20/Knoxville, I-26 at Exit 3, and parts of I-40E are impassable. Please do not attempt to travel these routes.
The Pisgah Ranger District has reopened as of October 18. Travelers on US-276 should be aware of one-lane sections with gravel patches—proceed with caution, drive at reduced speeds, and follow NCDOT signage.
Additionally, NC-215 is open with lane closures and several areas of broken pavement. Roadwork is ongoing, so please be prepared for rough road conditions. Motorists are advised to drive carefully, stay alert, and expect potential delays.
No trucks over 30-feet long are allowed to travel on US-19.
For information on safe, clear routes, visit DriveNC.gov.
For visitors seeking an outdoor experience, Lake Junaluska Walking Trail and Haywood Community College’s Dahlia Ridge Trail are open.
The Pisgah Ranger District is open as of October 18. For the status of campgrounds on the Pisgah Ranger District, please check with Naventure here. Travelers on US-276 should be aware of one-lane sections with gravel patches—proceed with caution, drive at reduced speeds, and follow NCDOT signage.
Haywood County’s portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway has reopened. Read the full press release here. As of 10/30/24, the Parkway is open in the following sections:
- Sliding Rock (milepost 411.8) to milepost 421, from US 276 to Black Balsam.
- Beech Gap (milepost 423.2) to milepost 469, from NC 215 to US-441 near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance in Cherokee.
Conditions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remain hazardous. Hiking and backcountry travel are not recommended due to the unpredictability of creek crossings, potential of downed trees and other hazardous trail conditions. Park staff will evaluate trails once roads are safely assessed, which will impact emergency response time. Cataloochee Valley, Big Creek, Balsam Mountain remain closed as of 10/24/24. Check the Park website for additional updates or call (865) 436-1200 and follow the automated prompts for road conditions.
In accordance with the above, the Art Loeb Trail, Mountains to Sea Trail, and the portions of the Appalachian Trail through Haywood County’s public lands are closed.
Chestnut Mountain Nature Park in Canton is closed until further notice.
The United Way of Haywood County is managing all monetary donations to support local recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene. Your contributions will directly assist local families and individuals impacted by the storm. You can donate via the United Way of Haywood County website to make a secure donation at https://www.uwhaywood.org, or by sending checks to PO BOX 1139, Waynesville, NC 28786. Please note “Tropical Storm Helene Relief” in the memo line.
The Haywood Advancement Foundation has approved a grant program to help businesses with cleanup efforts, which will be available through the end of October. The Foundation is also providing no-interest loans for six months, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Please consider donating to The Foundation here to fund small business recovery efforts.
Donate to Mountain Projects’ Emergency Fund to help those in need of disaster relief funding and assistance. If you’d prefer to give by check, please mail to:
Attn. “Emergency Fund”
Mountain Projects, Inc.
2177 Asheville Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786
Pay it forward to the NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund or Southern Smoke Foundation. With many businesses forced to cut down on hours or shutter completely, hospitality workers in Haywood County are in dire need of assistance.
Donate to the Haywood Artist Relief Fund to your support for Haywood County’s creative community as they work to rebuild their spaces, portfolios, and livelihoods.
At the state level, the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is now accepting contributions for hurricane damage. Make a secure donation online here, or send your contribution by mail to the following address:
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
20312 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Support local businesses during this difficult time by shopping online or purchasing a gift card to use on your next Haywood County vacation! See a list a businesses with online storefronts and gift card availability here.
Call Haywood County’s local donation hotline at (828) 203-6875.
Volunteer opportunities will be posted here as they become available. Please check back regularly.
If you are a small business owner or hospitality worker, please refer to this list of recovery resources.
Local Resources:
- Visit ReadyHaywood.com for information on government services, points of assistance, utility restoration, and health & wellness contacts.
- Call the Haywood County Emergency Hotline at 828-356-2020. The call center is open for calls Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.
- Refer to this master list of resources in Haywood County and across the region.
- Check for any adverse weather conditions or weather warnings from the National Weather Service here.
- To receive emergency or critical event information, opt-in to Haywood Alerts by texting a Haywood County zip code to 888-777 or sign up using a local home address here.
State and Federal Resources:
- Consult NC 211’s Hurricane Helene FAQ.
- Review the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s list of Disaster Recovery Resources, which includes help for small businesses, grants, and loan information.
- Tune into iHeart Media’s broadcast of News 13’s continuing coverage of regional conditions and disaster relief efforts. Find your local frequency here.
- Apply for FEMA assistance online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
- Stay up-to-date with Visit NC’s advisory page.
- Check ReadyNC.gov for current information on road conditions, changing weather, and evacuation routes.
- Visit DriveNC.gov for real-time traffic updates.
- Monitor nearby flooding waterways with the NC FIMAN map.
