The historic Biltmore Estate at Asheville should reopen this weekend after Helene devastated western North Carolina.

Helene dropped nearly 30 inches of rain – about four months’ worth – in three days in part of the Tar Heel State, causing widespread damage. floodmudslides and more than 200 deaths.

The Biltmore Estate suffered significant flooding and damage at its entrance, located in Biltmore Village, according to Biltmore Company Vice President of Communications Kathleen Mosher.

The teams are cleaning up. (The Biltmore Company/FOX Weather)

The historic structures, gardens and vineyard of the 8,000-acre estate remained unscathed under Helene.

“We were very fortunate that way and we have worked very hard since then to repair the damage to our main entrance gate, which will also open on November 2,” Mosher said.

“Signal of hope”

The history of the Biltmore Estate dates back to 1888, when George Vanderbilt first visited Asheville and began purchasing land for what would become his new country home. According to Biltmore officials, Vanderbilt chose this area because he was captivated by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Around this time of year, the Biltmore Estate holds its annual holiday tradition known as Christmas at Biltmore. The domain is transformed for the Christmas season, with Christmas trees, wreaths and lights adorning the Biltmore House and throughout the property.

Christmas decorations at the Biltmore. (The Biltmore Company/FOX Weather)

This year, Christmas at Biltmore will take place from November 2 to January 5.

Reopening before the holidays is important given the difficulties encountered in the west North Carolina continue to live, according to Mosher.

“The season of hope is extremely meaningful to us right now, and we want our family and friends to be there,” she said. “We want our neighbors to be able to celebrate the holidays and having that signal of hope heading into November and December is really important as we look to our recovery here in Western North Carolina.”

DRONE IMAGES SHOW BILTMORE VILLAGE UNDERWATER

A pickup truck is partially submerged in the Swannanoa River in Biltmore Village following Hurricane Helene September 29, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. According to reports, more than 60 people have been killed in the South due to

To aid the recovery process, the Biltmore Estate and its family owners launched the Biltmore Relief Fund for WNC in early October. In doing so, they committed $2 million in immediate relief to help employees in Western North Carolina whose communities were upended by Helene.

Biltmore officials noted the fund would support employees in crisis, provide support to local nonprofits helping the region, while also investing in community recovery.

The Biltmore House. (The Biltmore Company/FOX Weather)

“Western North Carolina has been our family’s home for more than 125 years and we are devastated to see Helen’s impact on our region,” said Bill Cecil, Jr., president and CEO of the direction of Biltmore. “We remain committed to supporting our employees and neighbors in the wake of this unprecedented storm and in long-term recovery efforts. Now more than ever, we must work together to stabilize and rebuild this community.

Read more from FOX Weather