Biltmore Estate History from Asheville due to reopen this weekend after Helen ravaged western North Carolina.

Helene dropped nearly 12 inches of rain — about four months’ worth — in three days in one part of the Tar Heel State, causing widespread flooding. floodingmudslides and over 200 dead.

The Biltmore Estate experienced extensive flooding and damage at its entrance, which is located in Biltmore Village, according to Biltmore Vice President of Communications Kathleen Mosher.

Crews are cleaning up. (The Biltmore Company / FOX Weather)

The 8,000-acre property’s historic structures, gardens and winery were unscathed during Helene’s time.

“We’ve been very fortunate that way, and we’ve worked very hard since then to repair the damage to our front gate, and it will also open on Nov. 2,” Mosher said.

“Sign of Hope”

The story of the Biltmore Estate dates back to 1888, when George Vanderbilt first visited Asheville and began purchasing land for what would become his new country home. According to Biltmore officials, Vanderbilt chose the area because he was captivated by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This time of year, the Biltmore Estate hosts their annual holiday tradition known as Christmas at the Biltmore. The estate transforms for Christmas season, with Christmas trees, wreaths and lights adorning the Biltmore House and the entire property.

Christmas decorations at the Biltmore. (The Biltmore Company / FOX Weather)

This year, Christmas at the Biltmore will run from November 2nd to January 5th.

The reopening before the holidays is significant given the hardships of those in the west North Carolina continue to experiment, according to Mosher.

“The season of hope is extremely meaningful to us right now, and we want our family and friends around,” she said. “We want our neighbors to be able to celebrate the holidays and have that signal of hope as we go into November and December is really important as we look toward recovery here in western North Carolina.”

DRONE PHOTO SHOWS BILTMORE VILLAGE UNDERWATER

A van is partially submerged in the Swannanoa River in Biltmore Village after Hurricane Helene on September 29, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. According to reports, more than 60 people have been killed in the south because of th

To aid the recovery process, the Biltmore Estate and its family owners launched the Biltmore Relief Fund for WNC in early October. In doing so, they committed $2 million in immediate relief to help employees in western North Carolina whose communities were upended by Helene.

Biltmore officials noted that the fund will support employees in crisis, provide support to local non-profit organizations that help the region, along with investments in community recovery.

The Biltmore House. (The Biltmore Company / FOX Weather)

“Western North Carolina has been our family home for more than 125 years, and we are devastated to see Helene’s impact on our region,” said Bill Cecil, Jr., President and CEO of Biltmore. “We remain committed to supporting our employees and neighbors in the wake of this unprecedented storm and long-term recovery efforts. Now, more than ever, we must work together to stabilize and rebuild this community.”

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