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Hurricane Helene Brings Flooding to AT Trail Towns as Hikers Warned To Avoid First 865 Miles of AT
At least three Appalachian Trail towns are experiencing flooding as Hurricane Helene (now downgraded to tropical storm status) continues to bring heavy rains and high winds to the region.
Much of the town of Hot Springs at northbound mile 275 has been flooded, with photos and videos of floodwaters filling the Iron Horse Station, a local inn and restaurant popular among thru-hikers, circulating on social media.
Evacuations are underway in Erwin, Tennessee (mile 345), where high water stranded more than 50 people on the roof of a local hospital today. Severe flooding is also affecting the point where the AT crosses the Nolichucky River in Erwin. The crossing point — the Chestoa Bridge — has reportedly been washed away. The fate of nearby Uncle Johnny’s Hostel remains unconfirmed at this time.
Further north, at mile 471, the town of Damascus, Virginia is also experiencing flooding, forcing the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to close its Damascus Visitors Center until further notice. Dozens of roads have been shut down in southern Virginia due to the flooding.
The entire southern Appalachian region remains under flash flood and high wind warnings through this evening.
All national forests in Georgia and North Carolina have asked visitors to stay out until further notice. Meanwhile, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) reports that it received eight inches of rain at Newfound Gap from the storm and that Newfound Gap Road (among other park areas) is temporarily closed.
“Risks of flooding, high winds, downed trees, landslides and power outages remain, and visitors are encouraged to reschedule their trips,” park officials warned in a Facebook post. “Backcountry travel and hiking is not recommended due to the unpredictability of creek crossings.”
Between GSMNP and the national forests, these recommendations affect most of the first 865 northbound miles of the AT from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Rockfish Gap, Virginia.
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The ATC echoes these warnings, recommending that all AT hikers in the southern Appalachians postpone their hikes. “Hazards from landslides and downed trees will remain even after the storm passes,” the organization said in a written alert on its website. “Emergency services may be delayed or unavailable until the storm passes and for a period immediately after.”
In addition to continued flooding and downed trees, the National Weather Service has warned that Helene is likely to cause landslides in the southern Appalachians. The storm has been pummeling the southeastern US since yesterday, and the total death toll has risen to at least 26.
All AT mileages from the FarOut Appalachian Trail Guide.
Featured image via Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
This article was updated at 7 p.m. ET on September 26 to include additional details about flooding in Hot Springs and Erwin.
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Comments 5
I live in Mountain City, TN just 12 miles from Damascus.
This liability-infused, institutional ‘nannyism’ needs to be challenged.
We saw how misdirected it was during the Covid onset on the AT Class of 2020.
Please respect the ability of experienced long distance hikers to make better decisions about their ‘safety’ than people sitting at their computers.
Those who think it is too risky for their well-being will make the decision that works best for their individual risk aversion range.
However, their are many others who feel safe by continuing their hikes.
Keep on hiking southbounders (Class of 2024) and experienced section hikers!
I respectfully disagree with the “nannyism” comments, despite the esteemed pedigree of the commenter. I see local agencies making – and the Trek writer summarizing – helpful (and potentially life-saving) “recommendations” to hikers. There’s nothing at all wrong with that.
This article fails to mention the town of Hartford, TN where the Pigeon River is and a booming whitewater rafting industry that provides money for our poor county and countless jobs for many. We cross over the AT as we cross the bridge at Waterville to go on the upper section of our river. The Dancing Bear hostel is right up the road and hosts AT hikers. I just want as much awareness as possible brought to our communities absolute devastation as well.
Has anyone heard from Connie Pruitt from the Greasy Creek friendly? Mitchell County between Barnardsville, NC and Erwin, TN
Thanks for this great article. It’s terrible to see all this devastation locally. This is excellent reporting.