Asheville’s Biltmore Estate will reopen for the holidays after damage from Hurricane Helene

Asheville’s Biltmore Estate, the largest private home in the United States, will soon reopen despite damage from Hurricane Helene. The North Carolina property, which has been closed since the storm, plans to welcome visitors starting Nov. 2, just in time for the holidays.

The residence covers approximately 8,000 acres and was built in the late 19th century for George Washington Vanderbilt II. The expansive mansion has 250 roomsincluding 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces. The Biltmore is known for its opulent holiday attractions that attract thousands of visitors every year. You can also visit nearby Biltmore Village, where you will find shops, restaurants, exhibits, a winery and a farm.

When Hurricane Helene tore through the southeastern US in late September, the city of Asheville was particularly hard hit. The Biltmore house itself was largely unscathed, although other parts of the estate were not so lucky.

“The entrance to Biltmore, located in Biltmore Village, and other low-lying areas of the property, such as our farm, experienced significant flooding and building damage,” said one flood update from the Biltmore on October 3. “Unfortunately, we lost a few of our animals during the storm, but the vast majority are safe and accounted for.”

Photos from the estate showed debris strewn across the site, which was covered in thick mud. The Biltmore is warning guests that they may still need to take alternate routes to get to the home due to hurricane damage, according to the WashingtonPost“Hannah Sampson.

“We are devastated to see Helene’s impact on our region,” said Bill Cecil Jr., president and CEO of Biltmore, in a statement statement. “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.”

The reopening of the Biltmore stands in contrast to the conflict that many in Asheville are still dealing with. The White House reports that more than $344 million has been allocated to help Helene’s survivors, with $60 million going to more than 51,000 homes in North Carolina.

“It’s frustration on top of frustration on top of frustration,” said Asheville resident Shelly Tygielski Axios‘Michael Graff and Zachery Eanes.

Part of that frustration comes from “feeling like we’ve been forgotten, and most people have too [outside of the area] I don’t really understand the magnitude,” she says. Before moving to Asheville to be close to family, she spent years in Florida, where she witnessed many intense storms. Still, she adds, “What I see here is very different from anything I’ve ever seen.”

In light of this uncertainty, the Biltmore and its owners (Vanderbilt’s descendants) have also launched a $2 million promotion. Biltmore Relief Fund for Western North Carolina.

“The compassion and resolve of our region are shaking every day under the weight of this storm,” the estate said in a statement statement. “Thanks to the incredible work of so many generous people, recovery is happening all around us.”