We Never Closed: WNC is open and ready for you

Posted on: July 22, 2025 Posted by: Sarah Giavedoni Comments: 0
In Western North Carolina, We Never Closed.

September 2024 will long be remembered for the impact that Hurricane Helene inflicted on the mountains of Western North Carolina, as well as our friends and neighbors in the NC High Country and SC Upstate. 

But in addition to the challenges of the storm and its aftermath, the period will be remembered for something more inspiring: the outpouring of love and support both from within the region and from communities across the country and around the world.

Around here, WNC has long stood as shorthand for the affection we feel when talking about Western North Carolina. In recent months, it has also come to symbolize the resilience of the land, people, and businesses throughout the region. 

In Western North Carolina, We Never Closed.

Skip Ahead! Get right to the information you need:

What happened: Hurricane Helene sweeps through WNC

Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, 2024 as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). By the time Helene got to WNC, it had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane. However, our mountain topography and saturated watersheds led to widespread record-breaking flooding throughout the region.

Like every weather system in the mountains, some communities got walloped more than others. While some homes were without power and water for a few days, others were out for weeks. Some communities, like Hot Springs and Marshall, took months to recover. And others, like Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, continue their rebuilding efforts.

And yet, resilience has been the keyword for WNC’s small communities since the storm. We share in the great sense of pride flowing through our region as friends, neighbors, and strangers demonstrated an unwavering resolve to help one another rebuild those areas of our community damaged by the hurricane—and to return to business.

#VisitWNC: What to know before visiting Western North Carolina this summer

As we approach the one-year milestone of the impacts from Hurricane Helene, the vast majority of the region is back up and running. In fact, some towns and neighborhoods were back open pretty quickly! Every week brings additional Asheville businesses reopening—either in rebuilt spaces or at new locations throughout the city. And every occasion throughout the region is a fresh cause for celebration!

And locals aren’t the only ones celebrating! A number of top outlets agree that our region is a top destination for travelers this year:

See communities that are open across WNC:

Communities across WNC are open and ready to welcome visitors in these ongoing celebrations! Not sure where to begin? Check the map!

Tips for visiting WNC this summer

  • Check your itinerary online – Most spots are open in at least some capacity, but their hours or services may have shifted. When in doubt, check the current status of each spot you want to visit.
  • Check for road closures and detours – Nearly all major roads are fully open, but you may still experience some detours along your route. Check ahead to make the most of your visit.
  • Follow all safety signs and alerts – Many WNC hiking trails were affected by Hurricane Helene. Check for any trail closures before you begin your hike, and be sure to follow all current posted safety precautions.
  • Stay flexible – Our mountain towns are excited to welcome you back! While some businesses are still working to get back to 100%, please be patient and flexible as you enjoy our Southern Hospitality.
  • Have fun! – Western North Carolina is a wonderful place to visit and to live. We’re excited to share what we love about the mountains with you.

Open for business!: Notable places that are back up and running

The top tourist destinations in Asheville and Western North Carolina are open and ready for you! Here are our top spots to visit this summer:

Biltmore Estate

Biltmore House is a National Historic Landmark known as America’s Largest Home®. The home contains a modest 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. Adjacent to the home are 75 acres of formal and informal gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The private home has been open to the public since 1930.

Read more: How to enjoy the Biltmore grounds every month of the year

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a unique unit of the National Park Service, a 469-mile scenic roadway through the rural mountains of Western North Carolina and Virginia. Built in the 1930s, today the Parkway is one of the top sites in the National Park system. With 200 scenic stops and overlooks along the route, there are ample opportunities for enjoying the many beautiful vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Read more: 

WNC golf courses

WNC boasts dozens of golf courses to choose from, both public and private, for a wide range of skill levels and price points. We even have courses designed by legendary course architects Donald Ross and Tom Fazio. Golf courses in Asheville and Western North Carolina have attitude, as well as altitude, challenging golfers in the most gorgeous of settings.

Read more: Your complete guide to the best golf courses in WNC

Hiking trails

Whether an easy walk or a strenuous hike, take time to explore this amazing area and breathe in our fresh mountain air. With thousands of miles of well-traversed trails within a short drive, walking and hiking the outdoors is just one of many fun things to do in Western North Carolina!

Read more:

Highland Brewing Company

Independent and family owned since 1994, Highland Brewing Company carved the path for Asheville’s craft beer movement. Today, Highland sits on a sprawling 11-acre facility on 40 acres of land with multiple indoor and outdoor taprooms and event spaces.

Read more: 5 Awesome attractions within 5 minutes of Haw Creek, NC

Art galleries

Western North Carolina’s many galleries have created exciting downtown destinations for artists and art lovers alike. But more importantly, art spaces add new life and a sense of identity to our neighborhoods. From Asheville’s River Arts District to Main Street Weaverville to Marshall High Studios in Downtown Marshall, burgeoning art scenes have rejuvenated local mountain towns.

Read more: 

Local businesses

Every day is a great day to support the hundreds of independent, locally owned businesses throughout Western North Carolina! July is Independent Retailer Month, making it especially easy to feel great supporting local businesses while crossing unique items off your shopping lists. From trout farms to cheesemongers, boutique retail shops to independent book stores, and comic shops to bike shops, it’s never been more fun to #ShopLocal in WNC!

Share the love: Other ways to support the local communities of WNC

We’re excited to have you back in WNC! But if you’re not able to visit soon, or if your visit inspired you to give more, there are plenty of additional ways to support the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in local businesses and nonprofits in communities across Western North Carolina.

Here are a few options we recommend to support:

  • American Red Cross – Providing shelter, food, comfort, hygiene supplies, and emotional support for affected communities
  • BeLoved Asheville – Providing critical necessities like food, water, and healthcare for survival and stability, and securing warm and safe housing for the displaced
  • Community Foundation of Henderson County – Aiding nonprofit partners and neighbors through philanthropy as the Henderson County area recovers from Hurricane Helene
  • NC Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund – Supporting long-term recovery and unmet needs through grants to nonprofits serving Western North Carolina
  • NC Multi-Agency Donation Warehouse (MAW) – Receiving and distributing in-kind donations to Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs), and eligible community partners actively serving communities and individuals impacted by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina
  • United Way ABC – Mobilizing the community through volunteerism and working alongside valued partners to help the community recover and rebuild

More information about getting involved with one of these opportunities to support recovery in Western North Carolina can be found at wncrecovery.nc.gov. 

Culture of Caring: What we’re doing at Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks

We are local. We are united. WNC strong.

Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks has deep roots in Western North Carolina. And our agents and staff appreciate any opportunity to demonstrate our dedication to our local communities through our Culture of Caring. In recent months, we have been focused on helping our neighbors get back on their feet and rebuild. 

Here are just a few examples:

  • $200,000 donation to the American Red Cross – In October 2024, the Howard Hanna Family of Companies Foundation, the Allen Tate Foundation, and the Beverly-Hanks Gives Big Foundation pooled together to support relief efforts in communities throughout North and South Carolina impacted by the storm. Read more.
  • Offices served as distribution sites – Luckily, our office buildings across the region fared well in the storm. As soon as we were able, we opened our offices to those needing power, internet, and water (as available). Many offices also acted as donation and/or distribution sites of items for people in need.
  • Rock to Rebuild benefit concert – In March 2025, Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks was proud to be a presenting sponsor of a concert benefiting ARCHR (Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair) members and headlined by Somewhat Petty, Asheville’s Tom Petty tribute band. The event raised $17,000 for storm-related home repair work in our community.
  • Local trail rebuilding – Hurricane Helene caused damage to hundreds of established trails around the region. In March 2025, staff from the Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks marketing department paired with the Carolina Mountain Club (which maintains more than 400 miles of trails in WNC) to repair sections of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in the Asheville corridor.

Live where you love: Real estate updates in WNC

2024 will certainly be a year that all of us will remember for decades to come. It was not the real estate market that took center stage in the final few months of the year, but the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought to the region.

Real estate in WNC since Helene

As anyone would expect, real estate activity was dramatically impacted after the storm—coming nearly to a standstill. Fall home sales in the mountains generally buoy the market through the end of the year and into the spring months. Instead, many buyers postponed their real estate plans for the region while everyone in the region focused upon recovery. However, local markets showed remarkable resilience! The vast majority of transactions under contract prior to the storm did in fact close, although many were delayed. 

The first half of 2025 was characterized by a flurry of activity from the many buyers and sellers who postponed their real estate plans after the storm. High-end homes, in particular, saw a sharp spike in inventory, shifting negotiations toward buyers. 

Looking ahead: Real estate predictions for the second half of 2025

Despite recent events, the desire to live in our mountain region has not been diminished. Western North Carolina continues to remain a destination of choice for home buyers from across the country. In the coming months, we will continue to help our clients navigate the various elements causing confusion to the home market—from individual property damage to national and global concerns that play out locally.

It has been our pleasure to serve real estate consumers in the mountain region since 1976. During that time, much has changed. We have seen exceptional growth in the region and experienced challenging times, as well. The one thing that has remained consistent is the fact that this is one of the most desirable areas of the country in which to live. Our real estate market here will continue to thrive, and it would be our honor to assist you with any real estate needs you may have.

For the most recent updates about the WNC real estate market, visit the Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks Market Research Center.

Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks has deep roots in Western North Carolina, and we remain steady in our dedication to our local communities. As your neighbors, we are committed to doing our part to help our local community recover and rebuild, now and in the long term.

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