State transportation officials continue to warn against any travel to or in western North Carolina as they consider all roads there closed due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Interstate 40 near the North Carolina-Tennessee state line took a heavy hit from the storm. Eastbound lanes were washed out by Helen's heavy rains.The interstate is closed for 43 miles in both directions between Exit 432 (US 25W/US 70/US 411) in Tennessee and Exit 20 (US 276) in North Carolina.
I-26 is also closed in Tennessee from mile marker 39 to the North Carolina state line.
See which highways in western North Carolina are closed.
Numerous other U.S. and state highways are also closed by damage. Many bridges were destroyed or heavily damaged by the storm.
In addition, much of western North Carolina remains without cell and electrical service.
Overall, Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm late Thursday night in Florida's panhandle, has claimed at least 133 lives, according to officials. Damage was spread from Florida to Virginia.
