Biltmore Estate in North Carolina is set to reopen following temporary closures due to damage from flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The well-known tourist attraction shared on social media over the weekend its plans to celebrate the holiday season starting November 2.

“For over 125 years, Biltmore has witnessed the resilience of our community,” stated the estate located in Asheville. “Every day, the compassion and determination of our region rise above the challenges posed by this storm.”

**Why was Biltmore closed?**
The closure occurred after the remnants of Hurricane Helene swept through on September 27, inflicting widespread devastation across the Southeast. Many communities faced severe flooding, leading to road destruction and power outages affecting thousands. Asheville, North Carolina’s largest mountain city, found itself largely cut off as critical routes were either washed out or blocked by landslides.

Officials have projected that recovery efforts will be extensive and complicated. Hurricane Helene made landfall in northern Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 26, moving through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, resulting in major disruptions across the Southeast. The hurricane has led to approximately 250 reported fatalities across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Western North Carolina bore the brunt of the storm’s impact, especially as the remnants made their way into the higher altitudes and cooler air of the Appalachian Mountains, leading to increased rainfall. Towns like Asheville, situated in valleys, are particularly susceptible to the flooding and rainfall associated with severe storms. This hurricane was recorded as the deadliest to strike the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

**What damage did Biltmore experience?**
Fortunately, the Biltmore Estate stated that the overall effects of Hurricane Helene on its expansive 8,000-acre property were relatively minimal. The estate, which includes the iconic Biltmore House, as well as a conservatory, winery, gardens, and lodging facilities, experienced varying levels of damage, with some areas seeing no impact at all.

However, parts of the estate located in lower elevations were more severely affected. The entrance to Biltmore experienced significant flooding and is currently undergoing “extensive repairs.” Plans are underway to remove weakened poplar trees that line the entrance as part of the recovery efforts detailed on the estate’s website.

**Why is Biltmore a popular tourist destination?**
Constructed during the Gilded Age, the Biltmore Estate was completed in 1895 and is recognized for its 250-room French chateau, commissioned by George Vanderbilt. It holds the title of the largest privately owned residence in the United States.

Every year, Biltmore attracts around 1.4 million visitors and employs approximately 2,500 individuals—all of whom were accounted for following the storm, according to the estate’s communication. Remarkably, it stands as one of Asheville’s major employers. The mansion itself has rarely closed its doors since it first opened to the public. In 2020, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the estate temporarily laid off most of its workforce, marking the first closure since World War II.