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.
Hurricane Helene Impacts:
Updated Thursday, October 24
Blowing Rock was incredibly fortunate through the storm. Town of Blowing Rock infrastructure is undamaged and operational. Businesses are open, and all utilities are restored. Major highways into our area are safe and open for travel.
Please note that a county-wide curfew remains in effect from 12am to 6am daily.
As we welcome visitors back to Blowing Rock, we ask for understanding and empathy for the High Country. Blowing Rock businesses are open and eager to serve and visitor support is vital to their survival. But our broader community is still recovering from Hurricane Helene and the impact to the area is significant. If you are visiting soon, we urge you to plan ahead and keep several things in mind.
Closures
All NC State Parks west of I-77 are currently closed until at least the end of October. Access to trails inside local State Parks – including Grandfather Mountain State Park and Elk Knob State Park- is not available. Tweetsie Railroad is closed but will reopen for Tweetsie Christmas. For updates on local attractions operations, click here.
Many fall festivals and big events have been canceled. Please check our event listings for updates- we’re updating all the time.
Lodging
If you plan to stay overnight, check with your lodging host to confirm your reservation before you travel. Availability is opening up as some utility and construction personnel move closer to affected areas, but many local properties are still housing displaced residents, aid workers, and repair crews. If your favorite is booked, browse our lodging availability to find a different new hotel or lodge. Alternatively, consider day trips while recovery housing is still needed. Additionally, if you are staying in a rental and prefer to dine in, consider bringing food from home so that local food security isn’t interrupted.
Getting Around
Know that many secondary roads are still under repair, and full or partial closures are common. We request that you stick to main highway routes and confirm their status before traveling. Allow more time for travel and expect heavy traffic in some areas. The downtown areas of Blowing Rock, Boone, West Jefferson, Sparta, and Wilkesboro are welcoming visitors, and the main highway routes between them are safe.
Twenty miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open near Blowing Rock, but NPS warns that visitors should be aware that trail assessments have not been completed and caution should be exercised when hiking.
If you’re looking for routes to explore, check out this Fall Leaf Lookers Map from High Country Host >>
Areas to Avoid
Visitors are asked to avoid residential/rural spaces outside downtown areas while recovery efforts continue. And please, respect the needs of our neighbors who have asked that visitors continue to stay away while they make important strides toward recovery The neighboring town of Banner Elk in particular is asking visitors to stay away for now and plan to visit later.
Show Your Support
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 local 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 Sky Valley Zip Tours, High Gravity Adventures, and Tee 2 Green Indoor Golf. For updates on local attractions operations, click here.
All this to say: please visit thoughtfully. Visitors are vital to helping our small businesses recover and your support means everything to us. 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 the High Country during this difficult time. It has been heartening and overwhelming in the best way. Thank you.
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
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!
Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
Build For Good Foundation (Venmo: @Build4Good)
Appalachian State Disaster Relief Fund
Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation
NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund
Southern Smoke Foundation (Food & Beverage worker relief)
Official Donation Drop-off Sites
Please coordinate drop offs BEFORE making any trips to the area or sending supplies. Some drop-off sites are working to distribute items and are running out of space. All main county sites are paused as changing needs are assessed.
Drop-off for local distribution of shelf-stable food, clothing, and personal care items: Exxon Station at 7816 Valley Boulevard, Blowing Rock NC 28605.
Supplies needed: Sleeping bags, various phone chargers, winter coats and outerwear, blankets, small and large propane cans, socks (all sizes, new)
Also accepting powdered drink mixes, non-perishable food (especially ready-to-eat, gluten-free, dairy-free, or sugar-free), cleaning supplies, feminine supplies, baby supplies, pet supplies.
Official County Drop-off Sites- donations paused
Watauga County: The Summit Pickleball. 278 Industrial Park Dr, Boone, NC 28607. (828) 532-5442 (Items can be shipped here)
Ashe County: Family Central. 626 Ashe Central School Rd, Jefferson, NC 28640. (336) 982-8121
Avery County: Newland First Baptist Church. 160 Cranberry St, Newland, NC 28657. (828) 733-9092
Allegheny County: Sparta United Methodist Church. 190 N Main St, Sparta, NC 28675. (336) 372-4441
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.
Samaritan’s Purse- Boone Response
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
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 >>