*Editors Note: This story has been updated from its initial version published on September 26. Meetings Today is following this developing story closely. Check this page frequently for updates.
Tropical Storm Helene has left a trail of destruction across the Southeastern United States this week, devastating parts of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. North Carolina has been hit especially hard by the storm, and cities like Asheville are experiencing what many are saying is "biblical devastation" akin to Hurricane Katrina.
On Monday, the North Carolina State Climate Office said that the storm was nearly a "worst-case scenario for western North Carolina." The climate office has said that the North Carolina was hit with heavy rains before Helene even hit, experiencing over two feet of rain in some areas of the state and an amount the climate office said was around three months worth of precipitation landing in just three days. And Helene's wind and moisture only exacerbated the record amounts of rainfall the region was already experiencing.
Status of Asheville Facilities
Because of this, areas like Asheville are experiencing high amounts of flooding, with nearly the entire city underwater and photographs circulating news outlets and social media of buildings nearly completely submerged. This has also led to many of Asheville's major hotels and attractions to close their doors due to the extreme weather.
The Omni Grove Park Inn is a historic 4-star Asheville property that has been welcoming guests for over a century. The property posted on both their social media pages and website that the hotel would be closed until further notice and that they currently do not have any power or water access, much like the millions of homes and businesses caught in Helene's path. According to the message on their social media pages, "The hotel will not be taking future reservations as we continue to assess the situation."
The Biltmore Estate is another historic property in Asheville, welcoming tourists to its Châteauesque-style mansion for years. Now, the property is also temporarily closed as it assesses the damage from the storm, with a statement on its website reading "Due to significant flooding, impassable roads and widespread power outages in our region from Tropical Storm Helene, Biltmore is temporarily closed." The property is asking people to check biltmore.com/weather-update for the latest updates and that all guest renovations through October 3 have been cancelled.
The multipurpose convention center Harrah's Cherokee Center – Asheville, home to the area's main arena as well as some of its largest auditoriums, banquet halls and meeting rooms, is also experiencing interruptions to its services. The center has canceled or postponed nearly all of its events through the end of October, even putting ticket sales on hold for some of its events later this year.
The Foundry Hotel Asheville in downtown Asheville is also temporarily closed according to its website.
Update From Explore Asheville
Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority released a statement on the area's Helene recovery efforts on Wednesday. The CVBs have said that while most of the downtown, lodging and hospitality infrastructure fared well during the storm, most areas are still without power and water service and that rescue efforts and early stages of recovery are ongoing.
The CVBs also said that the Asheville Regional Airport is also still operational and that major highways in the area like I-40 and I-26 are also now accessible, making it easier for first responders to mobilize support for the area.
The Explore Asheville staff and the BCTDA board members are also all safe and accounted for, saying in a statement "Our entire team is working with community leaders and hospitality partners to compile information for residents, workers, first responders and guests in Asheville and Buncombe County. We will continue to provide updates from the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina, NCDOT and Duke Energy."
You can find more information on the Explore Asheville website for resources, how to help and closures. The organization is also sharing live updates via Instagram Stories on @VisitAsheville.
September 27, 2024:
Hurricane Helene Weakened to Tropical Depression, At Least 30 Killed and Millions Left Without Power
At least 30 people in four states have been killed as Hurricane Helene made its path of destruction across the Southeast this week. The hurricane has since been downgraded to a tropical depression as it's moved further inland, but authorities are still warning residents in states affected by the hurricane to stay away, as catastrophic flooding and damage have been reported across the Southeast. Water levels have reached over 15 feet in some areas of Florida and Georgia, leaving some residents trapped in their homes.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that the damage from Helene has been worse than the past two hurricanes Florida has experienced combined. The storm has also caused widespread power outages, leaving millions without access to electricity heading into the weekend.
The storm is currently moving toward Louisville, Kentucky, and while the winds have slowed considerably to around 35 MPH, the storm still has the potential to cause damage to buildings and bring flash urban flooding.
September 26, 2024:
Florida Braces for Hurricane Helene
Florida is bracing for Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 hurricane that could be the strongest hurricane to hit the U.S. in over a year. What started as a tropical storm in the Caribbean and Mexico has since surged to hurricane strength, with winds expected to reach at least 130 mph and storm surges up to 20 feet by the time it makes landfall in Florida Thursday afternoon.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden approved the request for a state of emergency in Florida and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts in the state. Other surrounding states in the Southeast such as North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have also declared states of emergency amid reports that the storm could continue its destructive path north.
Mandatory evacuations of numerous Florida coastal counties were also ordered on Wednesday, with many airports and universities closing throughout the duration of the storm. Tampa International Airport will suspend all commercial operations at 2 a.m. Thursday ahead of Helene’s arrival and will remain closed until damage assessments are completed, but it is anticipated to reopen Friday, according to NBC News.
Florida Hotels Offering ‘Distress Rates’
Many Florida hotel companies, including Rosen Hotels & Resorts in Orlando, are offering “distress rates” for residents in the 61 counties where Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency.
The initiative provides evacuees with a safe and affordable place to stay during the duration of the storm, helping to ensure the safety and well-being of any Florida residents caught in its path. More information about room rates can be found on Rosen Hotels’ website.
What Hurricane Helene Means for Meetings and Events
But what does this mean for planners who may have meetings scheduled in areas that have now been forced to evacuate? In a previous story covering Hurricane Dorian back in 2019, meetings industry attorney Tyra Hillard said meeting planners should consider the following precautions:
- Review the force majeure language in all of your contracts carefully. Does it allow you to terminate your contract without liability a certain number of days or weeks prior to your meeting due to an act of God? Or does it only allow a claim of force majeure if the disruption occurs on the day of your meeting?
- If you have event cancellation insurance, contact your provider and discuss possible scenarios for either completely canceling your meeting or having a reduced number of attendees. Even if the storm has passed in the area your meeting is held, prospective attendees could still be dealing with its ramifications including flight delays or displacement.
“First, contact the venue or whoever you’re contracting with to see where they stand,” Hilliard advised in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey. “In cases like this, venues are usually pretty generous about letting people get out of contracts for force majeure, and then depending on what happens there, planners should then contact their lawyer. And their insurance provider is just as important to get in contact with as their lawyer, because they may have to use their event cancellation insurance.”
How You Can Help: Hurricane Relief Resources
American Red Cross: Hurricane Relief Donations & Ways to Help
