The area near the historic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina was decimated by Hurricane Helene, keeping the famous landmark closed until at least October 15th.

The nearby village of Bilmore experienced significant flooding as the Swannanoa River and other waterways poured into streets and businesses, although the property itself reportedly suffered no major damage.

The largest private home in the United States was built in the Gilded Age by George Vanderbilt, grandson of shipping and industrialist Cornelius “the Commodore” Vanderbilt, and is now a popular tourist attraction and family business.

The fourth and fifth generations of Vanderbilt descendants manage day-to-day operations along with more than 2,000 employees. The 8,000-acre property is home to shops, restaurants and accommodation, as well as hosting events.

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Biltmore Village in Asheville, North Carolina

Before and after Hurricane Helene

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By Friday, the storm had already claimed 230 lives, and many residents were still missing. In a message to employees, Biltmore said: “We understand that connectivity is very limited and want you to know that your safety and well-being are our primary concern. Please continue to check closure information here until we can repair our internal communications channels.

“We appreciate your patience as we navigate this crisis together and we are committed to providing updates as they become available.”

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Editor’s note: The story has been updated to clarify that the flooding damaged Biltmore Village, not Biltmore Estate.