Helene Recovery Resources & Updates

Hurricane Helene has left behind tremendous destruction in the southern Appalachian Trail (A.T.) landscape and surrounding communities. This page will gather the latest resources and information for A.T. visitors, partners, and supporters.  The ATC is committed to providing support to our A.T. Communities and to rehabilitating the Trail and landscape—no matter how long it takes. 

For Hikers

Current A.T. Conditions:

12/20/2024, Confirmed at 4:30 p.m. (no updates since 12/17/2024)

12/17 Update: Officials with the USFS have closed additional sections of the A.T. in the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, north of U.S. 19E. Officials have also updated several of the closures from last week. See our Trail Alert for details. 

Keep in mind that just because an area is open does not mean it is safe and returned to its pre-Helene condition. For information about what you may encounter in open but storm-damaged sections and how to stay safe, visit our blog post about hiking the A.T. in 2025.   

If there is a discrepancy between the map and our Trail Alert, the alert should be considered correct 

View larger map

 

DETAILED TRAIL CONDITIONS

2024 Thru-Hikers

Thru-hikers who had to skip around closed or impassable A.T. sections in the areas impacted by Helene are still eligible for 2,000-miler status. 2024 thru-hikers can also suspend their hikes and continue where they left off when it is safe to do so and still be considered a thru-hiker so long as they complete the A.T. within 12 months of when they restart their hike.

LEARN MORE

2025 Thru-Hikers 

The ATC is working with the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, the Clubs, and local partners to inventory the damage to the Trail and determine the need for detours. More information will be shared as it becomes available. Learn about how to prepare to hike storm-damaged sections of the A.T. in 2025 in our latest blog post.

INFO FOR 2025 HIKERS

For Volunteers and Clubs

We are humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support and offers from individuals and clubs eager to get to work clearing and repairing the A.T. A.T. Clubs and the ATC have started deploying volunteers to storm-damaged areas for repair and clean-up. You can also still donate to local relief efforts for impacted communities – read our blog post 3 Ways to Support Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts for more information about how to donate to ongoing relief efforts.

New Volunteers

We are always thrilled to welcome new A.T. volunteers! Helene-related work trips (and other upcoming A.T. volunteer opportunities) are posted on our website. You can stay informed about both current and future volunteer opportunities to rebuild and repair the A.T. by signing up below for our volunteer opportunities newsletter.

FIND A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES NEWSLETTER

Current Volunteers 

A.T. volunteers have once again demonstrated their incredible dedication to the Trail and A.T. community in response to Helene. Thank you to Club members outside the impacted areas who have reached out to offer their help! Local Clubs, the ATC, and public land managers are working together to assess damage to the Trail, though some sections still remain closed.

Local Clubs and the ATC are recruiting volunteers to assist with repair and recovery work, with a special need for certified chainsaw and crosscut sawyers. Check our website for current volunteer opportunities or connect with your ATC staff contact or your Club RPC representative for more information. You can also email volunteer@appalachiantrail.org.

FIND A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

For A.T. Communities

The 56 unique Appalachian Trail Communities from Georgia to Maine share a special bond and connection to the Appalachian Trail. The devastating destruction from Hurricane Helene in the southeast has impacted our communities and disrupted the fabric of our landscapes in unimaginable ways.

We want to support and share stories of the recovery and rebuilding efforts that will be needed in our A.T. Communities. Please submit updates and images so we can shine a light on these efforts and encourage additional support.

SUBMIT STORIES

Many A.T. Communities in Georgia through Virginia are welcoming visitors who can access them through safe routes. Show your support to these communities by planning a trip this Fall and Winter. Be sure to check with individual communities to see if they are open to visitors. View North Carolina travel advisories here.

A.T. COMMUNITIES

For ATC Members 

The outpouring of support from the ATC community has been incredible, and it speaks to the resilience and generosity that define this group. We are deeply grateful for your patience and readiness to help during such a challenging time.

Here are ways you can help:

Donate to local relief efforts:

Appalachian Voices has gathered an extensive list of resources for people in the communities impacted by Helene and those looking to help specific communities and regions: https://appvoices.org/helene-relief/

Donate to humanitarian and emergency response organizations supporting the impacted areas:

Donate to the Appalachian Trail Resiliency Fund

The Appalachian Trail Resiliency Fund was created to reconnect the A.T. and restore the surrounding landscape, support Trailside communities, and ignite robust volunteer recruitment and training.

By donating to the Appalachian Trail Resiliency Fund today, you are helping accelerate recovery and create a more resilient A.T. The path ahead is long, and ATC is committed to delivering on our promise of an open and continuous Trail—no matter how long it takes.

Donate Now

 

Contact your Member of Congress in support of federal disaster relief funding:

The care and management of the Appalachian Trail is made possible through the contributions of ATC members, supporters, foundations, and dollars appropriated by the U.S. Congress and approved by the President. The damage wrought by Hurricane Helene has injured the basis of the A.T.’s health in the South, and the annual appropriations that the National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service rely on for public land operations are much too low to adequately address the A.T.’s recovery. A significant portion of these funds provided through agreements with the agencies enable project materials, tools, supervisory staff time, transportation, and food relied upon by volunteers and Clubs as they do their part to steward the Trail. 

Additional Congressional support is needed to restore the A.T. and the surrounding public lands. The ATC has been advocating for those funds in a “disaster supplemental,” as have several of our Members of Congress, led by Senators Warner and Tillis. We encourage everyone who would like to see the A.T. and its surrounding landscape fully restored to reach out to your Member of Congress in support of the increased funding needed for the A.T. to recover from Helene.

Stay informed about how you can support future efforts to rebuild and repair the A.T.: 

SUBSCRIBE

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

As the only non-profit devoted exclusively to the entirety of the Trail and its landscape, the ATC serves as liaison and unifying entity between the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, State land managers, and the 30 Clubs that maintain the A.T. on the ground. When emergencies occur, we work closely with these partners and volunteers to share critical communication between responding parties to inform recovery efforts across the Trail and to relay important messages and alerts to visitors about current Trail conditions.

A.T. COOPERATIVE MANGEMENT SYSTEM