Western North Carolina flooding updates: Some schools are closed Monday

(This article is being updated. Read our previous coverage here.)

Relief efforts continue in Asheville and western North Carolina, where a major disaster caused by Tropical Storm Helene has devastated communities, left roads impassable and thousands without power.

Check back for live updates arriving throughout the day on Sunday.

11:10 a.m.: Travel in western North Carolina nearly impossible

At least 200 roads have been closed in North Carolina since Sunday morning, including Interstate 40 and Interstate 26 on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, according to the state’s road closure map. The closure of I-40 near the state line is described as long-term. I-40 is also closed at Old Fort Mountain. NCDOT estimates it will reopen there on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at noon.

You can track road closures at driversc.gov. State emergency officials have warned people not to travel in or to Western North Carolina.

11:05 a.m.: Attorney General Josh Stein warns against price gouging

Attorney General Josh Stein reminded North Carolinians Sunday that it is against the law to charge unreasonably high prices for goods and services during a state of emergency.

Residents may report price gouging or other concerns related to Helene to the North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or www.ncdoj.gov/pricegouging.

10:55 a.m.: Schools announce Monday closures

Although information about school closures in Western North Carolina is still sparse, several schools have now issued warnings in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.

Asheville City Schools will be closed on Monday, September 30th and Tuesday, October 1st.

Buncombe County Schools will be closed to students on Monday, September 30th and Tuesday, October 1st. Both days are annual vacation days for employees.

Jackson County Schools will be closed to students from Monday, September 30th to Wednesday, October 2nd. October 2nd is a planned workforce development day.

10:45 a.m.: Families wait in line for water in West Ashville

Brandi Hayes, 37, stood in a long line of people outside the Ingles Markets grocery store on Haywood Road in West Asheville on Sept. 29, hoping to buy water, bread and other essentials.

Shea Davis, the store’s manager, told the Citizen minutes later that the store was almost out of water, bread and charcoal. When the store opened at 7:30 a.m., there were already dozens of people in line, he said.

As of 10 a.m. Sept. 29, the county had not provided information about water distribution locations.

10:20 a.m.: Most flights were canceled at Asheville Regional Airport

Many flights at Asheville Regional Airport are still canceled as of Sept. 29 as airlines struggle to restore phone service and internet access, according to an update from Tina Kinsey at Asheville Regional Airport.

All Delta flights before noon on September 29th have been canceled and no other airlines are currently operating.

While some flights and airlines may resume service once services become available again, the airport urges passengers to check with their airlines about the status of their flight. The Asheville Regional Airport website is not currently updating correctly with flight information.

Buncombe County’s press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET

Officials will hold a press conference this morning to provide an update on relief efforts. You can watch it below.

Biden announces major disaster relief in North Carolina

According to a press release from the White House on Saturday, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. declared that there is a major disaster in the state of North Carolina.

The President’s action provides federal funding to affected individuals in the following counties and areas: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison , McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

11:10 a.m.: Travel in western North Carolina nearly impossible

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