Map Shows Interstates Being ‘Closed for Months’ After Hurricane Helene

Two major interstates connecting Tennessee and North Carolina will likely be closed for months after sustaining catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene, according to state officials.

Helene made landfall last Thursday night about 10 miles west of Perry, Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm was a Category 4 hurricane at the time, with maximum sustained winds of around 140 miles per hour.

The storm caused fatalities across several Southern and Southeastern states, with storm surges, devastating winds and torrential rain that threatened several dams and inundated Asheville, North Carolina, with floodwaters. More than 130 people were killed by the storm, The Associated Press reported.

In North Carolina, floodwaters threatened dams, washed away houses, caused devastating mudslides and washed away two major interstates. North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) officials expect at least one of the roads to remain closed for months.

“We’re in for the literal long haul, because NCDOT now says I-40 is going to be closed for ‘months’ between TN and NC,” WBIR Channel 10 posted on X, formerly Twitter. “The typical detour via I-26 was also washed away in Unicoi County, so there’s no longer any direct interstate access between our states.”

About 390 roads are still closed because of flooding impacts, downed trees, landslides and other catastrophic damage from the storm, the NCDOT said in a press release on Monday. The closures include areas along Interstate 40 and dozens of highways.

Newsweek has reached out to the NCDOT by online inquiry for comment.

“I-40 remains impassable in multiple locations. I-26 is closed at the Tennessee state line,” the NCDOT posted on X.

The closures will result in lengthy detours, which have some experts concerned about regional shipping, WBIR reported. However, all roads in the region “should be considered closed to all non-emergency travel,” the NCDOT said.

The department shared photos on social media of roads washed away by floods or mudslides.

“While progress is made is some areas, some hard-hit areas remain very dangerous across Western NC. Travel should be limited to local and hurricane response,” the NCDOT posted on X.

Hundreds of thousands of people remain without power in North Carolina, with cell service just as spotty, which is impacting recovery efforts.

“Our top priority is everyone’s safety and well-being,” Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins said in the press release.

“People should still consider roads in western North Carolina to be closed and avoid travel unless it is absolutely necessary. Priority must be given to all the emergency responders, utility and transportation crews, and others who are working hard to help with what will be a lengthy response and recovery effort.”

The press release explained that most road closures are in place west of Interstate 77, where the flooding made roads unpassable, debris covered roads and bridges, or pipes failed. Dozens of closures are in place along primary travel routes, including I-40, U.S. 74, U.S. 64 and dozens of other highways, the press release said.

“The scope and magnitude of this devastation is unlike anything many long-time residents have ever seen in western North Carolina,” Hopkins said.

“We’re doing everything we can to help North Carolina recover from this devastating storm but this will be a long-term effort. We need people to be patient and help us with the recovery effort by staying off the roads.”