Biltmore Estate Reopens a Month After Helene's Destruction: 'Signal of Hope'

Asheville City Schools reopen 1 month after Helene

Dr. Kimberly J. Dechant, Chief of Staff for Asheville City Schools, spoke about the part-time reopening of schools in Asheville, when students return full-time, the availability of clean fresh water in the school and the Teddy Bear Project. in which the students participated. October 29, 2024.

The historic Biltmore Estate Asheville will then reopen this weekend Helene devastated western North Carolina.

Helene dropped nearly 3 feet of rain in three days in one part of the Tar Heel State — about four months — causing widespread rain. floodsmudslides and more than 200 deaths.

The Biltmore Estate experienced major flooding and damage at the entrance, which is located in Biltmore Village, according to Kathleen Mosher, vice president of communications at Biltmore Company.

Crews are cleaning up. (The Biltmore Company/FOX Weather)

The historic structures, gardens and winery of the 8,000-acre estate were unharmed during Helene.

“We were very fortunate that way and we have been working very hard since then to repair the damage to our entrance gate, and that will also open on November 2,” Mosher said.

‘Signal of hope’

The story of the Biltmore Estate dates back to 1888, when George Vanderbilt visited Asheville for the first time and began purchasing land for what would become his new mansion. According to Biltmore officials, Vanderbilt chose the area because he was fascinated by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This time of year the Biltmore Estate hosts their annual holiday tradition known as Christmas at Biltmore. The estate is transforming for the Christmas season, with Christmas trees, wreaths and lights adorning the Biltmore House and the entire property.

Christmas decorations at Biltmore. (The Biltmore Company/FOX Weather)

This year, Christmas in Biltmore takes place from November 2 through January 5.

Reopening ahead of the holidays is significant given the hardships in the West North Carolina continue to experience, says Mosher.

“The season of hope is extremely meaningful for us right now, and we want our family and friends to be there,” she said. “We want our neighbors to be able to celebrate the holidays and that signal of hope as we move into November, and December is very important as we look forward to our recovery here in western North Carolina.”

DRONE FOOTAGE SHOWS BILTMORE VILLAGE UNDERWATER

A van is partially submerged in the Swannanoa River at Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 29, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. According to reports, more than 60 people died throughout the South as a result of this disaster

To support the recovery process, the Biltmore Estate and its family owners launched the Biltmore Relief Fund for WNC in early October. In doing so, they provided $2 million in immediate relief to help workers in western North Carolina whose communities were turned upside down by Helene.

Biltmore officials noted that the fund will support workers in crisis, provide support to local nonprofits helping the region, and invest in community recovery.

The Biltmore House. (The Biltmore Company/FOX Weather)

“Western North Carolina has been home to our family for more than 125 years, and we are devastated to see Helene’s impact on our region,” said Bill Cecil, Jr., president and CEO of Biltmore. “We remain committed to supporting our employees and neighbors in the aftermath of this unprecedented storm and the long-term recovery efforts. Now more than ever, we must work together to stabilize and rebuild this community.”

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