CNN
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The 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate, Asheville’s greatest attraction that welcomes 1.4 million visitors a 12 months, had vital injury in some buildings after Helene ripped by means of Western North Carolina, the Biltmore stated.
“We are still assessing impacts to the estate from Tropical Storm Helene and that will take some time,” the Biltmore stated in a press release Thursday.
The property is dwelling to the Biltmore House, America’s largest privately owned mansion. The 250-room home, together with the property’s vineyard, conservatory and accommodations, “received minimal or no damage from the storm,” the Biltmore stated.
But low-lying elements of the property, together with the doorway and the farm, “experienced significant flooding and damage to buildings,” the Biltmore stated. “We sadly lost a few of our animals during the storm, but the vast majority are safe and accounted for.”
In the forested areas, which make up “a large portion of the estate, wind damage is extensive to grounds and some structures,” the Biltmore stated. “Crews have been working tirelessly to clear roads so we can begin repairs.”
It’s not clear when the property will reopen, however “Initial assessments indicate the estate will be closed to guests until at least October 15,” the Biltmore stated on its web site. “We will continue to provide updates about operations beyond that date as they are available.”
Biltmore Estate is in Buncombe County, the sudden epicenter of deaths and destruction from Helene. At least 72 victims have died in Buncombe County as of Friday, and about 78,000 properties and companies there nonetheless didn’t have energy one week after Helene’s lethal rampage.
The electrical energy substation serving Biltmore Village, a preferred vacation spot simply exterior the property, had catastrophic injury and can take months to restore, regional energy firm Duke Energy stated Friday.
“The water line is almost to the top of that substation,” Duke Energy spokesperson Bill Norton stated. “That substation alone is going to take three or four months to repair. Obviously, we are not going to keep those customers out for three or four months. So what we did is we wheeled in a 200,000-pound mobile substation.”
The cellular substation is anticipated to be powered by Sunday. “We’re digging new spots for wiring so that it will be underground and safe,” Norton stated.
About 105,000 properties and companies in Western North Carolina could have “long-term” energy outages after Helene demolished key infrastructure, Norton stated.
As for the Biltmore Village substation that may take months to restore, Norton stated crews will attempt to “build it again on higher ground over the floodwall around it.”
