close
close
Biltmore Estate in Asheville is scheduled to reopen in November after Helene-Schaden

play

  • Parts of Biltmore's grounds suffered significant flood damage from Helene.
  • Biltmore has furloughed an unspecified number of employees due to a “significant decline in tourism.”

ASHEVILLE – A reopening date has been set for Biltmore Estate after Tropical Storm Helene slammed into western North Carolina, forcing the closure of one of the region's most popular tourist attractions.

The Biltmore Estate will reopen on Saturday, November 2nd, the company announced in an October 19th press release.

The Citizen Times previously reported that portions of Biltmore's grounds and some of its buildings suffered significant flood damage from Helene. Biltmore House, the estate's conservatory, winery, gardens and hotels sustained minimal or no damage from the storm.

The Nov. 2 reopening marks the start of the holiday season for the 8,000-acre property, which employs about 2,400 people. While the Biltmore House, restaurants and other property attractions will be open to visitors, the company continues to clean up streets and wooded areas. The company said its trails and Outdoor Adventure Center will remain closed until further notice.

“We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support for our community and the determination of our first responders, utility workers and community volunteers,” Biltmore President and CEO Bill Cecil Jr. said in a statement. “As the recovery unfolds, the return of guests to Biltmore not only means we can open, but also brings critical support to our region's economy to help employees, local businesses and friends in the area.

No storm-related deaths were reported among employees, Marissa Jamison, a spokeswoman for Biltmore, said in an Oct. 19 email to Citizen Times. All staff were accounted for, although several employees lost their homes in the storm, Jamison said.

Some are also unemployed.

Biltmore, one of Buncombe County's largest employers, cited “a significant decline in tourism that is expected to continue in the near future” and laid off an unspecified number of employees, according to Jamison.

However, the furlough is only temporary, she said, and employees will return to work “in phases following reopening.”

More: Biltmore Estate shares get first look at Helene damage, parts of the property were affected by “significant flooding.”

More: Biltmore Estate: What We Know After the Devastation of Helene in Asheville

Jacob Biba is the county watchdog reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Reach him at [email protected].

By Vanessa

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *