From NCDOT:
- A “DO NOT DRIVE” message remains in place from the North Carolina Department of Transportation for most of Western North Carolina.
- Unless it is an emergency, please do not travel to the hardest hit communities.
- Cherokee, Graham and Swain counties ARE FULLY OPEN to people who can access them through safe routes.
- NCDOT has now reopened more than 100 roads.
- NCDOT has reopened:
- NC 16 between Catawba and Alexander counties
- NC 226 between McDowell and Mitchell counties
- NCDOT is making progress on:
- NC 9 between Buncombe and Henderson counties, along with multiple other major routes in NC-11
- Crews are working both day and night to clear debris and repair roadways.
- NCDOT has reopened:
- The National Park Service has reopened US 441/Newfound Gap Rd. to allow for access between Tennessee and North Carolina communities.
- Kuwohi Rd. (formerly Clingmans Dome Rd.) also reopened today.
- Bat Cave and Gerton communities on US 64/74 in Henderson County were isolated with no access out until October 2.
- Yesterday, NCDOT was able to open access into the Bat Cave/Gerton area.
- Food drops are currently being conducted on a clothesline across the river in Gerton.
- NCDOT has launched a detour map to show motorists how to get around closures on I-26 and I-40 at the Tennessee border.
- You can access the map here.
- NCDOT is coordinating on temporary bridge needs with Arkansas and Virginia, and Kentucky and Florida already have crews mobilized in North Carolina.
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