Driver should consider all west NC roadways closed, NCDOT warns

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is advising drivers to consider all roadways in the western part of the state as closed following the destruction of hurricane Helene.

As of Monday morning, September 30th, the NCDOT stated once again that “all roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed,” noting that many places are unable to report closures due to failing infrastructure, reported WBTV 3.

Interstate 40 is still “impassable” in multiple locations, and Interstate 26 is still shut down at the Tennessee state line. I-40 has been closed from Interstate 77 in Iredell County to Old Fort in McDowell County and is only open to emergency personnel after a serious washout due to floodwaters.

According to Local 3 News, I-40 east and west at mile marker 432 in Cocke County, Tennessee is closed to mile marker 3 in North Carolina. I-26 is shut down in both directions in Unicoi County, Tennessee from mile marker 37 in Erwin to the North Carolina state line.

WATE 6 News reports that 27 State Roadway sections are closed, 14 state bridges are closed, and five state bridges have been completely destroyed.

“More than 1,600 NCDOT employees and contract crews are working with utilities to clear roads of debris, repair others where possible, and determine how to repair or replace roads more seriously damaged or destroyed,” a news release stated. “NCDOT crews from lesser impacted parts of the state have been deploying to the western part of the state since Friday and that will continue through the weekend. Those include crews who will be bringing in fuel, backhoes and front-end loaders to remove debris from mudslides, and chainsaw teams to cut and shove downed trees from roads.”