Hurricane Helene Storm Damage

NC, TN, VA | Alert

*UPDATED*

2 DAYS AGO

Current Conditions

Updated 04/30/2026

The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from Davenport Gap to Pearisburg, VA was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024 (NOBO miles 239.4 to 637.8). The worst of the damage occurred along the section between the Nolichucky River at Erwin, TN, to just north of Damascus, VA.

Volunteers with the Carolina Mountain Club, Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club, Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, and Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers, along with ATC staff, U.S. Forest Service staff, and the SWEAT and Konnarock trail crews, worked throughout the storm-damaged areas last year. Work continues throughout this spring, summer, and fall to clear debris and downed trees further back from the footpath, repair erosion and root ball craters (left from trees being ripped out by the roots), and other rehabilitation projects.

Want to help keep the Trail alive, too? Learn more about volunteering and trail crews!

Trail Conditions & Safety Information

The footpath and hazard trees: The entire section is passable. However, trees will continue to fall and there is severe erosion in some places. Standing trees that remain are especially dangerous as many were damaged by the storm and may be dying or dead – look up before choosing a campsite or stopping for a break. Do not stop or camp under damaged, diseased, or dead standing trees.

Wildfire risk: In the worst-hit areas, 90% of trees were knocked down by the storm. All of these downed trees create the perfect fuel source for wildfires to spread quickly, which could have devastating effects on the already damaged landscape. The southern A.T. is also in a severe to extreme drought. Due to the high fire danger, there are burn bans in place in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee (see our main Trail Updates page for more info). Remember that hot, dry, windy conditions means that fire danger is high and you should not have a campfire, regardless of whether official burn bans are in place.

Debris and overgrowth: Trail maintainers report that off-Trail water sources may be harder to find now, especially those not at a designated overnight site. Hikers should be very careful to not get lost when leaving the footpath. With less tree cover, the Trail will also be hotter and sunnier, so carry extra water. More sunlight also means faster, more aggressive vegetation growth, including briars, nettles, and poison ivy. This also means more potential exposure to ticks. We recommend wearing long pants and carrying a paper map and compass (and know how to use them together).

For detailed information about what you may encounter in storm-damaged areas and how to stay safe, see our Hiking & Helene Guidance.