The northern lights may be visible over the lower 48 states starting Thursday night, offering a somewhat rare chance to see the spectacular phenomenon.
Hurricane Helene: What you should do if you have a trip planned to the Southeast US
30.09.2024 - 22:45 / thepointsguy.com
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday and started her devastating path up through the southeastern United States.
The storm deluged areas in western Florida's Gulf Coast and Panhandle, eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, and regions of Georgia and South Carolina with record-breaking rainfalls, and the resulting flooding has decimated many parts of the region. At this time, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida have all qualified for "Major Disaster Declaration" status, which provides federal disaster assistance, according to FEMA.
If you have travel plans to visit any of these areas, it's important to know that you might not be able to visit not just in the immediate future but also for an extended period while recovery and cleanup continue.
Here's a guide on what to do if you have a trip planned to the southeast US to places including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, western North Carolina or eastern Tennessee.
"Catastrophic," is the word being used most often to describe the storm situation in western North Carolina and the region encompassing Buncombe County, which includes the city of Asheville as well as large sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. According to the Washington Post, the Swannanoa River, which traverses Asheville's historic Biltmore Village, "reached a record high level of 26 feet on Friday afternoon, surpassing the last major flooding event, in 2004, by more than 6 feet."
As a result, Visit North Carolina, the tourism arm of North Carolina government, has a statement on their website that says: "Visitors should not travel into the mountains and should call their travel provider to confirm alternative travel plans, including reservations with lodging providers, and heed any guidance from local officials." The state's department of transportation posted on social media that "All roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed."
Areas of eastern Tennessee, including Knoxville, are affected by flooding. A portion of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina border was washed away, as were a number of bridges in the area. (Note that while Nashville and Memphis both received record-setting rainfalls, both are accessible and open for tourism.)
Several areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are also closed, including Newfound Gap Road/Hwy 441, Kuwohi Road (formerly known as Clingmans Dome Road) and Cataloochee Valley area.
The National Park Service (NPS) is currently assessing conditions in the park following the storm. According to the NPS website, "While we recognize that this is a popular time to visit the park, visitors are encouraged to reschedule their trips for their own safety. If visitors choose to visit, they are asked to
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
thepointsguy.com
03.10.2024 / 17:21
Taylor Swift’s 'The Eras Tour' final dates sparks Airbnb and hotel surge in US and Canadian cities
The global economic juggernaut that is Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" is finally coming to an end later this year after a final leg that features stops in Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis before concluding in Canada with performances in Toronto and, finally, Vancouver, British Columbia.
travelandleisure.com
02.10.2024 / 16:07
Here Are 7 Organizations to Donate to in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Last week, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm before ripping through six states leaving a path of destruction in its wake and killing more than 100 people. The record-breaking storm – which clocked 140 mph winds and a storm surge that reached more than 15 feet above ground in the Florida Big Bend region – has left millions to deal with flooded roads, flattened homes and buildings, and power outages. North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama have all made disaster declarations as emergency responders work to rescue missing persons and more than 1.2 million are still without power as of Wednesday, according to PowerOutage.us. Popular North Carolina mountain towns – including Asheville – which have become top tourist destinations in the fall, have been reduced to debris as residents are left to rebuild their lives. Carrie Tucker of Charlotte, North Carolina, told Travel + Leisure in the wake of Hurricane Helene, western North Carolina is “completely cut off from life – no roads, no gas, no food.”
travelpulse.com
01.10.2024 / 20:45
Hurricane Helene Highlights Importance of Trip Protection
Hurricane Helene thrashed the Southeast U.S. with high winds and heavy rainfall this week, reminding travelers of the importance of protecting their travel investment with the right insurance plan.
travelpulse.com
01.10.2024 / 20:45
The Latest on Tropical Storms, Hurricanes and Systems That Could Threaten Travel
Some developing tropical storm systems could potentially create more headaches for travelers in the days and weeks to come.
cntraveler.com
01.10.2024 / 18:11
Everything to Know About the Amtrak Floridian Route Launching This Fall
Amtrak is launching a new route between Chicago and Miami this fall that will whisk passengers from the Midwest to the Sunshine State in 47 hours.
insider.com
01.10.2024 / 01:13
I'm an American who went to Oktoberfest for the first time. Here are 5 things that surprised me most about the famous German festival.
As a beer aficionado, I've been to my fair share of brew festivals throughout the US, several of which were "Oktoberfest" themed.
thepointsguy.com
30.09.2024 / 15:43
Here’s what to do if you have a negative balance on your credit cards
When you first see it, the term "negative balance" can make you think you made a mistake, like forgetting to pay your credit card balance. However, a negative balance on your credit card is actually a good thing because it means the bank owes you money instead of the other way around.
travelandleisure.com
28.09.2024 / 14:15
Score Nearly Half-off a Regent Seven Seas Cruise Next Year — What to Know
Luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering nearly half-off trips around the world for next year.
travelandleisure.com
26.09.2024 / 16:01
Airports Close, Hundreds of Flights Canceled as Hurricane Helene Barrels Toward Florida
Flight cancellations and closures continue to pile up Thursday as Hurricane Helene barrels toward Florida.
thepointsguy.com
26.09.2024 / 12:59
Hurricane Helene travel impacts: Tampa airport to close, warnings issued
Much of the Southeast has been under a hurricane warning Wednesday as Florida and Georgia brace for Hurricane Helene. It's expected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm late Thursday near the Big Bend of Florida.
matadornetwork.com
25.09.2024 / 14:46
Traveling to Italy? Italian Law Requires You Always Have Your Passport on You
We’re well-practiced at carrying our driver’s licenses in the US, but it might surprise you that there are countries in Europe where it is illegal to venture out without your passport.