News

RTA Members and Partners,

Hurricane Helene and its remnants wreaked havoc on the southeastern United States this past week. While the extended Triangle area was not completely unscathed, it is clear that the largest, most devastating impacts have been in western North Carolina.

NCDOT issued a news release over the weekend to provide an update. Around 400 roads in western North Carolina are closed, and NCDOT urges that all non-essential travel in the region be avoided. In addition, mobile phone coverage and electrical service is not available in many areas.

We have said that I-40 is the Triangle’s “main street”. The 420 miles of Interstate 40 across the state can also be considered North Carolina’s statewide main street — and part of I-40 in western North Carolina (and in nearby upper east Tennessee) is closed indefinitely due to the hurricane’s impacts.

NCDOT and their contractors have more than 1500 personnel working day and night to provide restoration in the state’s western counties.

While most RTA members cannot provide direct assistance in terms of restoring the WNC transportation network, all of us can consider providing resources or donations to impacted residents.

The State of North Carolina has a N.C. Disaster Relief Fund website that you can donate to directly. CNN has a list of partners ranging from The Salvation Army to the American Red Cross. In addition, Harris Teeter has launched a round up campaign with 100% of donations going directly to the Red Cross.

Please keep western North Carolinians — and our friends at NCDOT — in your prayers as they work to restore mobility and hope across the region.