Biltmore Estate Reopening scheduled for November after Tropical Storm Helene shutdown

Tropical Storm Helene Forces Biltmore Estate Closure

Due to the extremely wet and damaging weather in the area brought on by Tropical Storm Helene, biltmore estate reopening shut down for an entire day.
The historic Biltmore Estate in North Carolina’s Asheville city is also planned to reopen for business on Saturday, November 2 after shut down earlier due to the ravages of Tropical Storm Helene. This estate enjoys an area of over eight thousand acres and it was badly affected by flood; in fact one of the most popular tourist attractions in this region had to be closed down.

The management of the estate also released an official statement on October 19 to inform the public that Biltmore Estate has been reopened so that people can be prepared for the most festive time of the year, December, which is considered as the official Christmas at Biltmore season.

Extent of Damage from Tropical Storm Helene

About Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina it was devastating but for Biltmore Estate the worst was left undone as most of the principle attractions such as the Biltmore House, the Conservatory, the winery, and most of the gardens had little or no damages at all. If there were some enclaves of the estate grounds that suffered from such blots: Water runoff damaged roads, the wooded areas and other parts of the estate that have not been opened to the public including offices have not been opened and will not be opened to the public until they can be repaired.

To make this statement, Bill Cecil Jr., the President and CEO of Biltmore, said, “We are immensely thankful for the support we received for our people and for the hardworking first responders, utility workers, and community volunteers. Not only does the reopening of Biltmore allow us to once again welcome guests into our spaces, but it also helps to sustain the economy and employees and businesses of our region and neighbors.

Biltmore Estate Reopening in Time for Holiday Season

This is because the management successfully reopened the estate on November 2, fall which is the holiday season, a period that attracts tourists from across the nation. The estate is most famous for the Christmas at Biltmore event held annually which puts the Biltmore mansion in festive mood covered with great decorations, beautiful Christmas trees and glistening lights.

Upon reopening of the estate, those who wish to visit it will be able to tour the Biltmore House, the gardens, restaurants and the winery. However, a few facilities such as the estate’s Outdoor Adventure Centre and trails will stay shut since workers are still addressing repercussions in these zones. New information about these closures will be put on the Biltmore Estate Company’s website.

Economic Impact of the Biltmore Estate Closure

The shutdown of the Biltmore Estate generated a considerable economic effect on the Asheville area due to the property which is the largest employer in Buncombe County, with approximately 2,400 employees. The estate was closed, through which most of the employees could not be productive during the time that the estate was closed.

As said by Marissa Jamison, a Biltmore spokesperson, the furloughs were due to a “meaningful reduction in travel” after the storm. Though the number of people dismissed has not been revealed, the reopening of the Biltmore Estate means slow reemployment. Staff members will reopen and only return to work in phases according to Jamison.

People believe that the reopening of Biltmore Estate would be a source of relief in the region especially on aspects concerning hospitality and tourism, major brands would receive a boost from the visitors to the estate.

Community Efforts and Support for Biltmore’s Recovery

The reopening of the Biltmore Estate is also successful a symbol of revival and togetherness of the people in Asheville. This includes strongmen from the fire department, utility personnel and volunteers who have been helping in the cleaning up and rebuilding process. Without their input it would have never been possible to get the estate ready for guests once more.

Although no permanent staff members of Biltmore was killed by the storm the storm directly affected several members in different capacities. Some workers even lost their homes when the area was flooded. Despite these personal struggles, the staff working on the estate continues to work toward rewiring the building and managing the colleagues’ therapeutic process.

Ongoing Restoration Efforts

While the Biltmore Estate will become operational on November 2, the restoration of the area is still in the process. However for most of the popular tourist attractions such as the Biltmore House, gardens and most attractions or facilities, the works is almost completed and will hence be available for tourists while in Biltmore Shores it will undergo cleaning up after some other few weeks.

The storm affected trails and wooded areas in the estate and Biltmore has been very forthright of the fact that the safety of the guests comes first. As such, some of these areas will be cordoned off until further notice.

Holiday Season at Biltmore: A Magical Tradition Returns

Biltmore Estate reopens on November 2, 2012 and this is the start of one of Biltmore Estate’s tradition – Christmas at Biltmore. It has become an annual tradition for the estate to become a holiday spectacular every time of the year. Christmas in Biltmore is a great opportunity for visitors to have a sneak preview into how the estate looks like during the festive season, from the large Christmas trees planted inside the Biltmore house to elaborate ornamentation all over the estate.

Visitors will not be missing out on any of the special events Biltmore is famous for during the festivity season. When people visit Biltmore to see the stunning, over the top decorated rooms of Biltmore House, or the glowing gardens or indulge in wine tastings at Biltmore Winery, the Holiday Season delivers the velvet-roped, starlit glow promised for generations.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future After Biltmore Estate Reopening

The opening of Biltmore Estate is significant for Asheville and for the estate as well. In addition to enabling guests to continue touring exceptional historic sites and other attractions, it will pave the way toward restoring economic vigor for the area.

Even now, as the residents of Biltmore live through the aftereffects of the Tropical Storm Helene, they can hope for the best. The toughest problem to solve has been this during our operation, but the fight has been won by the estate with the help of the community and reopening is not the end of recovery.

For those who want to experience Biltmore Estate, November 2 reopening will allow them seeing the remains of Biltmore Estate cathedral, and the holiday season, while helping revive the local economy. As the estate reopens for the visits, Biltmore Estate is ready to continue being one of North Carolina’s treasures.