Was Helene's Biltmore Estate hit hard?

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — After Helene barreled through the Carolinas late last week, early images showed flooded areas and devastation in communities around Asheville, North Carolina. These areas included the Biltmore Village area, which leads to the famous Biltmore Estate.

The property itself is a major tourist attraction. Built over the course of six years beginning in 1889, the sprawling 250-room mansion features more than four areas for guests to explore and immerse themselves in the history of George Washington Vanderbilt II's legacy. Vanderbilt, a native of Staten Island, New York, chose the rolling hills near Asheville as his country home.

As of October 1st, the property itself will remain closed to the public. However, the extent of the damage to the Biltmore Mansion or surrounding buildings is not yet clear. In a notice posted online, the estate said the entire area where the mansion and its grounds are located will remain closed until Tuesday, October 15, due to flooding, impassable roads and ongoing utility outages. Employees were asked to report to their superiors if possible and were not allowed to enter the company without instructions from their superiors.

Pass holders and club members also currently have no access to the site.

Guests with day tickets can either request a refund online or use their ticket on another day. Visitors wishing to use their tickets on a different day should not call to reschedule until the property has safely reopened. You may call 800-411-3812 to reserve a date and time in advance or exchange current tickets in person at the front desk and ticket sales center. There may be price differences.

Overnight guests planning to arrive between Friday, September 27th and Tuesday, October 15th will be automatically canceled and will receive a 12-month credit towards a future stay. Guests planning to arrive after this 12-month window should check the weather advisory page linked above for updates.

The Biltmore Village area was among the areas of Asheville destroyed by Helene. The historic district, home to shops, boutiques and restaurants, was devastated, with several buildings damaged and nearby waterways flooded. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed that the Swannanoa River – which is near the Biltmore Village district – flooded to a depth of approximately 26 feet on Friday, September 27. NOAA standards say 18 feet is considered major flooding.

Since the storm, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, which takes travelers through the mountains of western North Carolina, has remained closed.

RELATED: Entire Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina remains closed

Across the southeastern United States, officials in several states declared 150 people dead. The emergency services were in the mountains on Tuesday looking for more victims, including cadaver dogs. The devastation in and around the Asheville region – an area known for its tourist appeal – is particularly evident in smaller communities.

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