This is a developing story.
Thursday night, Hurricane Helene made landfall along the Florida Big Bend coast as a Category 4 storm.
NOAA reported “damaging” wind gusts will impact particularly the higher terrain of the Appalachians and is expected to pass by the area around 8 a.m. Friday.
Heavy winds and rain have impacted Watauga County and surrounding areas earlier Thursday, which are forecasted to increase as the hurricane approaches the area, bringing a forecasted 6 to 8 inches of rainfall.
At 6:24 a.m. Thursday morning, App State Boone and Hickory classes from 12:15 p.m. Thursday through 5 p.m. Friday were moved online. Condition 2 of the Adverse weather policy was implemented for App State faculty and staff.
The App State football game against Liberty on Saturday was canceled due to “severe impacts to App State, the town of Boone and surrounding areas caused by Hurricane Helene,” according to the App State Athletics website.
Several other App State events were canceled, such as the App State 125th Anniversary and Founders Day Celebration and various Fall Family Weekend events, including the Fall Family Weekend Tailgate with The Campus Store.
A boil water advisory was issued by the Town of Boone at 12:56 p.m. Friday due to a water main break. Residents are advised to boil all water used for human consumption.
AppalCart announced route changes starting Friday due to the inclement weather.
- Orange – 1 bus only
- Pink – 1 bus only
- Pop 105 – 1 bus only
- Purple – 1 bus only
- Red – 2 buses
- Teal – 1 bus
- Wellness – No service
Watauga County declared a state of emergency suspending facility operations starting at 5 p.m. Thursday and lasting through Friday.
Boone Safe Walk was canceled on Thursday with services resuming Friday. App State Police remains available 24/7.
As of 1:20 p.m. Friday, the following roads are closed or impassable:
- Watauga River Road from mile markers 3.3 through 3.8 is impassable in both directions.
- One lane of NC-194 from mile markers 4.7 to 5.3 is closed heading north.
- Brookshire Road from mile markers 0 to 0.2 is impassable in both directions.
- Guy Ford Road near the Tennessee state line is impassable in both directions.
- Hubert Thomas Road near the Tennessee state line is impassable in both directions.
- Dewitt Barnett Road west of Boone is impassable in both directions.
- Justus Road west of Boone is impassable in both directions.
- NC-194 in Boone is impassable from mile markers 17.3 to 17.5 in both directions.
- Deerfield Road in Boone from mile markers 0 to 0.5 is impassable in both directions.
- Bamboo Road near Boone from mile markers 0.3 to 0.4 is impassable in both directions.
- NC-105 South near Boone is impassable in both directions.
Although not officially closed, locations like King Street and Blowing Rock Road have experienced flooding and have been impacted.
A timeline of events can be found below.
Friday, 3:17 p.m. – App State sent an update saying the Boone campus is currently without power and backup power is being used to ensure the continuity of dining and emergency services. The update advised recipients to stay away from bodies of water and unsafe conditions and said those who try to enter roped off areas on campus are subject to disciplinary action and possible arrest.
Friday, 12:56 p.m. – A boil water advisory is issued by the Town of Boone.
Friday, 11:28 a.m. – App State announces the football game against Liberty on Saturday is canceled. App State also announces Friday’s field hockey game Bellarmine is canceled.
Friday, 7:05 a.m. – AppState Alert sends an alert for a flash flood warning issued for Watauga County in effect until 3 p.m. Friday.
Thursday, 10:36 p.m. – AppState Alert sends an alert about a flash flood warning issued for Watauga County, extending the warning until 4:45 a.m. Friday.
Thursday, 5:44 p.m. – Boone Safe Walk services for Thursday night are canceled.
Thursday, 3:09 p.m. – AppalCart issues an alert about updated route changes.
Thursday, 1 p.m. – Watauga County officially declares a state of emergency.
Thursday, 6:24 a.m. – App State sends a message concerning Thursday and Friday classes, which are moved online for classes beginning after 12:15 p.m. Thursday. Condition 2 is implemented for faculty and staff.
Thursday, 6 a.m. – Watauga County Public Schools announced closure for students.
Wednesday, 10:41 p.m. – AppState Alert sends an alert about a flash flood warning issued for Watauga County in effect until 4:45 a.m. Thursday.
Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. – Tornado warning canceled.
Wednesday, 10:01 p.m. – AppState Alert sends an alert about a tornado warning in the area. Impacted residents are advised to take cover until the warning expires at 10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 5:29 p.m. – App State announces they are monitoring the hurricane and will send an update regarding Thursday and Friday classes by noon on Thursday.
Wednesday – The Blue Ridge Parkway issues a full closure of the parkway in North Carolina from milepost 217 to 469.