Some Western NC universities to close doors for at least a week due to Helene rampage

Some universities in Western North Carolina will remain closed for at least a week due to the impacts of Helene, the storm that left much of the region devastated and destroyed.

Here’s what’s been announced as of Monday morning, Sept. 30:

▪ UNC Asheville plans to remain closed until Wednesday, Oct. 9, Chancellor Kimberly van Noort announced in a statement posted to the UNC System’s X account Saturday.

On Friday evening, a university emergency alert message said the storm “created multiple hazards on campus and significantly compromised university infrastructure.” Van Noort said in her statement Saturday that “everyone is safe,” but “parts of campus are inaccessible” and “cell and internet coverage is nonexistent at this point.”

The university will provide “security, food, water and comfort” to students who remain on campus, van Noort said.

The city of Asheville remains under a curfew, in effect from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. each night, until further notice. City officials are also advising residents to boil water used for human consumption, or to use bottled water.

More information is available on the university’s Bulldog Alert website: new.unca.edu/bulldogalert.

▪ The Appalachian State University campuses in Boone and Hickory will remain closed through 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, the university announced Saturday through an emergency alert message.

On the Boone campus, student residence halls remain open, with none of the buildings “structurally compromised.” The central dining hall, campus markets, the student union, the student health center and the student recreation center also remain open.

Maintenance crews are roping off “dangerous areas” on campus, and those on campus are advised to not enter the areas once they are marked. Anyone doing so may face disciplinary action or possible arrest.

The university is asking those who remain on campus to conserve water by taking short showers, running dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full, and not leaving faucets to run.

The university also advises anyone who chooses to leave campus or the surrounding areas to “proceed with extreme caution, and keep the roads as clear as possible for emergency response vehicles.”

Students, faculty and staff who live off-campus should not come to campus. Anyone in need of shelter should call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

More information is available on the university’s App State Alert website: appstatealert.com.

▪ Western Carolina University in Cullowhee will remain closed through Friday, Oct. 4, the university announced on social media Saturday. The closure also applies to remote students.

The university has power, water and food, according to a post the university made to X around noon Saturday.

Campus emergency services and student services will remain operational during the closure. Campus dining will also available with limited options.

The university advises students to not leave campus due to the closures of major roads and interstates in the area. The university also advises the parents and guardians of students to not attempt traveling to campus.

The campus University Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, where students may make landline phone calls as cellular and internet disruptions continue.

The university’s website appeared to be down Saturday afternoon. The university will make additional updates through its social media channels, including on X (twitter.com/WCU) and Facebook (facebook.com/WesternCarolinaUniversity).

▪ Classes at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa will be canceled for two weeks, from Monday, Sept. 30, to Monday, Oct. 14, college President Damián J. Fernández announced Sunday.

In previous updates, Fernández said he witnessed “significant damage” to campus, but college leaders have been successful in getting water and other supplies delivered. University leaders advise students to stay on campus, but understand if they decide to leave.

More information and additional updates are available at: warren-wilson.edu/weather.

▪ Montreat College will be closed through at least Sunday, Oct. 6, the college’s emergency response team announced Saturday.

The majority of the college’s students have left campus, which college President Paul Maurer said Friday sustained “significant” damage from the storm. College officials are working to find off-campus shelter for students who were not able to leave.

“With most students safely relocated, we are shifting our attention to assessing the condition of the college’s physical plant as we begin recovery efforts,” a Sunday update read.

More information is available at montreat.edu/2024/09/update-on-tropical-storm-helene-impact.

▪ Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk will be closed until Oct. 4 “and then we will transition to online instruction,” President Lee King announced.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 7, classes will be held online through at least the end of the college’s fall break, set for Oct. 21-22. A decision on possibly returning to in-person classes after the break ends will be communicated as soon as possible, a Monday update said.

All students have left campus as of Sunday afternoon, including seven who evacuated with the help of the North Carolina National Guard.

More information is available at lmc.edu/campus-life/campus-safety/safety-operation-updates.htm.

▪ Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory will not hold classes on Monday, Sept. 30, the university announced Saturday. The closure applies to in-person and remote classes.

Power has been restored to most of the Hickory campus. Classes will resume there on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The university’s Asheville Center will be closed through Tuesday, Oct. 8. The fall semester at that campus will be extended by one week to accommodate the closure.

More information and further updates will be available at lr.edu/news/hurricane-helene-storm-updates.

This story was originally published September 28, 2024 at 3:53 PM.

Korie Dean

The News & Observer

919-335-8507

Korie Dean covers higher education in the Triangle and across North Carolina for The News & Observer, where she is also part of the state government and politics team. She is a graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill and a lifelong North Carolinian.