Category: Blog

After the devastation of Hurricane Helene the High Country banded together and worked to help those who lost everything. It was a very emotional time but it was also a time of hope as we saw the strength in our communities. 

The area between mileposts 285 and 305 on the Blue Ridge Parkway includes many favorite locations, including Thunder Hill Overlook, Cone Estate, Price Lake, Rough Ridge, and Beacon Heights.

Blowing Rock businesses are open and eager to serve you! Visitor support is vital to the survival of our local tourism-based economy, so your visit contributes to area recovery. Western North Carolina needs you! Full recovery from Hurricane Helene will take time. If you are visiting soon, we urge you to visit thoughtfully and keep several things in mind. Here are our tips for enjoying a fun and exciting trip to the Blowing Rock area.  Plan Ahead Be sure to make all your reservations in advance, including activities and lodging. If your favorite is booked, browse our lodging availability to find a different new hotel or lodge. Check ahead on your favorite activities to be sure they are open and available. Know Routes Before You Go Main routes are clear and access to all local attractions and businesses is restored. Some secondary roads are still under repair, and a few closures remain, so check ahead on routes to more remote activities. Check DriveNC.gov for the latest road conditions. Be Patient & Expect Delays Allow more time for travel and expect heavy traffic in some areas. As area travel patterns are still using mostly main routes, delays can occur. A lot of construction and repair work is still ongoing, too. Please be cautious and patient as you move throughout the area. Bring that same patience and sensitivity to interactions with staff at local businesses. Many are still personally dealing with difficulties from the storm, and potentially working while understaffed as well.  Obey Closures and Restrictions Obey closure signs on roads and trails. Not only can it be incredibly dangerous to venture past closures, unwelcome exploration can cause delays to much-needed repairs. Travel Respectfully Visitors are asked to avoid residential spaces outside business areas while recovery efforts continue. Be sensitive to and respect the needs of our neighbors who are still repairing and rebuilding. Please don’t wander to look for damage as entertainment. Support Local Businesses Shop and dine locally as much as you can- it makes significant impacts on the families who own our small businesses. Our shops are full of one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and it’s a great time to shop. Enjoy our restaurants and please be generous with your tips for our local workers. Many of our Blowing Rock attractions are family-owned as well, so plan to stop in at attractions like The Blowing Rock, Mystery Hill, and Doc’s Rocks and make a reservation for activities like Appalachian Ski Mountain,  Sky Valley Zip Tours, High Gravity Adventures, and Tee 2 Green Indoor Golf. Other Ways to Support If you are shortening your usual visit or If you are still waiting to visit in person, consider purchasing gift cards or shopping online from our local businesses as a meaningful way to show your support at this time. If you are looking for additional ways to help, we hope you will contribute to one of the many organizations working to help those hit hardest by Hurricane Helene.  Our community’s resilience is unmatched. The spirit of the NC High Country is strong, and we stand together in support of those affected by this storm. We are deeply grateful to all those helping western NC- all the work, the contributions, and the kindness. We are so appreciative to everyone who has reached out to support Blowing Rock and the High Country!

Though the storm is over, recovery is ongoing. As most of our visitors know, the fall leaf season is vital to businesses in the High Country, but that kind of robust economic activity wasn’t possible this October. Additionally, lots of our local businesses showed up for our community in big ways. Several directed a large portion of their resources to relief efforts like providing free meals, resident and responder support, and supply collection work. Many are still contributing and helping their employees and neighbors. Even if you have postponed a visit, there are still ways you can support your favorite High Country businesses during this difficult time! Jump to link list for gift cards, online shopping, and special initiatives >>  Here are some ideas: Restaurants Purchase a gift card from your favorite High Country restaurant! This cash flow will help our local restaurants stay on their feet. Several local restaurants are helping to feed the community, and extending support to their staff still without basic utilities. Some offer gift card sales online, and you can also call to inquire about purchasing a gift card over the phone. You may also consider purchasing gift cards to be used for free meals for displaced residents or meal deliveries- call individual businesses to inquire about that possibility. See all Blowing Rock restaurants & their contact info here >> Shops & Retail Buy online from those great shops you’d usually visit on a fall getaway! Blowing Rock shops are operating, and those in Boone are as well. These business owners need our dollars to stay open. If they don’t have an online shop, check to see if they are posting merchandise on social media instead. Complete your holiday shopping and support small businesses at the same time!  See all Blowing Rock shops & their contact info here >> Lodging Sponsor a room for a local resident or a relief worker! If you can support our local hotels in this way, it will help make a huge difference. Many local hotels hosted utility workers and recovery crews, while also providing places for displaced residents to stay or even simply take a shower. They are true community partners! Reach out to your favorite lodging operator to see how you can “reserve” a room for this use to help cover these costs. See all Blowing Rock lodging & their contact info here >> Some local attractions offer online gift cards! The annual economic boost in the fall helps keep the lights on during the quieter winter and spring months. Please do what you can to help support local businesses who had to miss out on such an important economic boost. It’s Easy to Support Local! For your convenience, here is a list of Blowing Rock businesses and local attractions that offer gift cards or online stores. Viewing on mobile? Turn your device or scroll over to see all four columns. Business Name Gift Card   Shop Online Initiatives Almost Rodeo Dr. Call 828-295-3422     Alpine Village Inn Click here >>   Provided lodging to linemen & workers. Call 828-295-7206 for rates. Appalachian Outfitters   Shop now >>   Aqua B Boutique   Shop now >>   Arcadian Massage Click here >>   Donate a massage to a volunteer. Art Walk   Shop now >>   Azalea Garden Inn Click here >>   Provided lodging to linemen & first responders – call 828-295-3272 for rates. Bald Guy Brew Click here >> Shop now >>   Best Cellar Click here >>     Bistro Roca Click here >>   First Responders Meals Blowing Rock Ale House Click here >> Shop now >>   Blowing Rock Furniture Gallery   Shop now >>   Blowing Rock Inn Click here >>   Housed linemen Blue Deer Click here >> Shop now >>   Bolick & Traditions Pottery Click here >> Shop now >>   Blowing Rock Art & History Museum   Shop now >>   Cafe Violette Click here >>   Provided free meals for residents Camp Coffee Roasters   Shop now >> Buy a can of gas for generators >> Chetola Resort Click here >>   Housed linemen & workers Christmas in Blowing Rock Click here >> Shop now >>   Cliff Dwellers Inn     Housed linemen & workers  Cupcrazed Cafe Click here >>     Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine   Shop now >>   Famous Toastery Click here >>     FA Supp Shop   Shop now >>   Final Touches   Shop now >>   Finley House Couture Call 828-295-6373 Shop now >>   Firelight Book & Candle   Shop now >> Donate emergency candles >> Funky Tulip   Shop now >>   Gamekeeper Restaurant Click here >>     Gilded Lily by Patra Click here >> Shop now >>   Grandfather Mountain   Sponsor Animals>> Avery County Helene Relief >> Green Park Inn     Special rates provided to linemen & workers  Gregory Alan’s Click here >> Shop now >>   Grounded Works   Shop now >>   Hanna’s of Blowing Rock   Shop now >>   Hellbender Bed & Beverage Click here >>   First Responders Meals. Housed displaced residents.  call 828-295-3487  to sponsor a stay. Hemlock Inn Click here >>   Volunteers stay at 15% off 828-295-7987 High Country Candles   Shop now >>   High Country Woodworks Call 828-372-7021     High Gravity Adventures Click here >>     Holiday Inn Express     Housed linemen and volunteers  Homestead Inn Call 828-295-9559   Housing displaced residents.  call 828-295-9559  to sponsor a stay. Inn at Ragged Gardens Click here >>   Housing displaced residents.  call 828-295-9703  to sponsor a stay. Jack Hamrick Art   Shop now >>   Jerky Outpost   Shop now >>   J. McLaughlin Click here >> Shop now >>   Martin House Gallery   Shop now >>   McCoy Minerals Click here >> Shop now >>   Meadowbrook Inn Click here >>   Housed linemen & first responders.  Mellow Mushroom Click here >>     Monkee’s of Blowing Rock   Shop now

The NC High Country was devastated by Hurricane Helene on September 27. We are so grateful for the outpouring of concern for our town and our community. Blowing Rock was incredibly fortunate through the storm; many of our neighbors are still in dire situations. Learn more about local recovery and how you can help those in need. For comprehensive NC resources, see NC Department of Public Safety’s information about Hurricane Helene here. Hurricane Helene Impacts: Updated Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Town of Blowing Rock infrastructure is undamaged and operational. All Blowing Rock businesses are open, and all utilities are restored.  Roads in our area are safe and open for travel. Local businesses are open and eager to serve and visitor support is vital to their survival. Western North Carolina needs you! Full recovery from Hurricane Helene will take time. ClosuresBlowing Rock attractions are operating on normal schedules. Nearby NC State Parks have some trail and campsite closures- check ahead with individual parks before visiting.  Getting AroundTravel on main routes and major secondary routes is open. Check ahead confirm the status of routes for more remote activities. Twenty miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open near Blowing Rock (weather permitting), but NPS warns that visitors should be aware that trail assessments have not been completed and caution should be exercised when hiking.  Areas to AvoidAll High Country towns are welcoming visitors! Visitors are only asked to avoid residential areas outside business areas and routes while recovery efforts continue.  The spirit of the NC High Country is strong, and we stand together in support of those affected by this storm. We are deeply grateful to all those helping western NC- Thank you.  If you are visiting soon, we urge you to visit thoughtfully and keep a few things in mind. For more on how to visit thoughtfully, see our tips here! Local Updates   Follow these accounts and local news sources for updates about Hurricane Helene impacts on our immediate area: Watauga County Emergency Services on Facebook High Country Press– local news Watauga Democrat – local news Boone Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook Avery County on Facebook Ashe County on Facebook NC Department of Transportation- road closures & updates Where to Donate Funds These are some of the organizations are coordinating drives for monetary donations that will stay in the community and NC for Hurricane Helene relief. Follow these links to donate or to learn more. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list! Feeding Avery Families Casting Bread Blowing Rock Cares Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Build For Good Foundation (Venmo: @Build4Good) Ashe Food Pantry Hospitality House NWNC Wine to Water High Country United Way Appalachian State Disaster Relief Fund Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Samaritan’s Purse FARM Cafe NC Red Cross NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund Southern Smoke Foundation (Food & Beverage worker relief) NC Disaster Relief Fund Official Donation Drop-off Sites Please coordinate donations with local non-profits and volunteers, potentially with organizations listed above.   Volunteer Opportunities These organizations are coordinating local volunteer efforts. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list!We will add more as we learn of more open opportunities. There will be much need even after the immediate emergency passes. Please coordinate with organizations BEFORE traveling and do not self-deploy without connecting with an organization that is providing services. Red Cross NC Samaritan’s Purse- Boone Response Casting Bread in Blowing Rock Those with chainsaws and other equipment can volunteer at Perkinsville Baptist Church: 274 Jefferson Rd, Boone, NC 28607. CALL AHEAD (828) 264-8605 Small teams with chainsaws and other equipment are coordinated from Speckled Trout Outfitters each morning 7:30am-8:30am: 916 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605. CALL AHEAD (828) 773-8852 Food and supply service at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Office: 4210 Mitchell Ave # 2, Linville, NC 28646. CALL  AHEAD(828) 733-1333 Those wishing to volunteer can also register at nc.gov/volunteer to be connected with a NC Volunteer Organization currently active in Helene response. Recovery Assistance Red Cross Shelters Small Business Resources How to apply for FEMA assistance for homeowners How to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund Southern Smoke Foundation (Food & Beverage worker relief) Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund  Get more information on assistance and resources for residents on the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce website >>