A section of Interstate 40, a key route connecting western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, partially collapsed after devastating flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. The flooding triggered road washouts and debris blockages, leaving the highway severely damaged and forcing its closure in multiple areas.
Photos from the site revealed extensive damage, with lanes washed away in the mountainous region, leading to major traffic jams as vehicles were stuck in place. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), no injuries were reported in the collapse zone. However, officials have not yet provided a timeline for when repairs will be completed or when the highway will reopen. NCDOT advised that all roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed due to ongoing flood damage.
In neighboring Tennessee, floodwaters surrounded a hospital in Erwin, forcing patients and staff to seek refuge on the roof. A dangerous rescue operation was launched, with helicopters airlifting those trapped to safety.
The catastrophic rainfall from Helene brought up to two feet of rain in some areas, causing widespread road collapses and flooding throughout the region. By Friday evening, at least two deaths were reported in North Carolina, with further assessments expected to reveal more casualties.
Interstate 40, which stretches from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Barstow, California, is a crucial east-west route. Drivers are currently being advised to take alternate routes using Interstates 81 and 26, adding roughly 50 miles to their journey. The U.S. Department of Transportation has yet to announce specific assistance for the repairs, but Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that updates are being provided from affected states about the damage to infrastructure.
This incident is reminiscent of a similar landslide that occurred in Wyoming earlier in the summer, which led to a three-week closure of State Highway 22. Emergency repairs were eventually made, but the situation on I-40 remains dire as officials continue to assess the full extent of the damage.
