The Biltmore Estate, America’s largest privately-owned estate located in Asheville, North Carolina, has been forced to close temporarily due to extensive flooding and building damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Spanning 8,000 acres, the estate boasts 250 rooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, and 22 miles of walking trails. Known for its gardens, outdoor adventures, tours, exhibitions, and restaurants, the estate has become another victim of the hurricane, with areas such as the entrance and farm experiencing significant damage.
Despite the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, there was some luck involved as minimal damage was sustained by key areas such as the conservatory, winery, gardens, and hotels at the Biltmore Estate. Crews are currently assessing the impacts of the storm and working to clear roads to begin repairs. The estate has reported that forested areas, which make up a large portion of the property, have experienced extensive wind damage to both grounds and structures as a result of the storm.
Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc across the Southeast, claiming the lives of at least 223 people and leaving many more missing since making landfall in Florida on September 26. In Asheville and surrounding Buncombe County, trees have been uprooted, homes have been destroyed, vehicles have been submerged, and roads have been damaged by the unrelenting floods caused by the hurricane. The nearby Biltmore Village was also severely impacted, with debris floating through the area after being submerged in water.
The Biltmore Estate was originally opened during the Gilded Age in 1895 by George Vanderbilt, a native of Staten Island, New York, and a grandson of industrialist Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt. The Vanderbilt family amassed their wealth in the mid-1800s through shipping and railroad monopolies. The estate remains a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors to its historic architecture, gardens, and picturesque setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Despite the temporary closure due to Hurricane Helene, the estate is working diligently to assess and repair the damage caused by the storm.
Thousands of trees were toppled, train tracks were left in disarray on river beds, and school buses were blown away in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s fury. The aftermath of the storm has left the region devastated, with a need for extensive cleanup and recovery efforts. Asheville, known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities, is working to recover from the impacts of the hurricane, with many residents facing challenges and losses in the wake of the disaster. The closure of the Biltmore Estate serves as a stark reminder of the power and destruction caused by severe weather events like Hurricane Helene.
