Key roads in western North Carolina, heavily utilized by truckers, have begun to reopen after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. However, among numerous other closures, Interstate 40 west of Asheville remains shut down, with the closure extending into Tennessee. During a press conference on Tuesday, Joey Hopkins, North Carolina's Secretary of Transportation, highlighted several significant road reopenings while stating, "Recovery will take time, and we appreciate your patience as we continue to assess and repair the roads in North Carolina." As of Tuesday morning, a database of all road closures listed over 450 throughout the state, with the majority attributed to a "weather event." However, one closure stands out: Interstate 40, which west of Asheville enters North Carolina at its border with Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains and runs along the Pigeon River. The flooding of this river has been a primary factor in the widespread devastation and disruption in the area.

Interstate 40 is closed in both eastbound and westbound directions at the Tennessee border. The state's closure database indicates the shutdown extends to mile marker 20. Andrew Barksdale, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, confirmed that the road has been washed out for several miles eastbound, with images of the damage widely shared on social media.

NEW! Motorists traveling between East Tennessee and North Carolina are facing significant disruptions.