Asheville, North Carolina, resident Barrett McGrath on the damage from Hurricane Helene and the recovery response from local communities and governments.
The historic Biltmore Estate, in Asheville, North Carolina, was decimated by Hurricane Helene and is now closed.
The largest privately owned home in the U.S., built in the Gilded Age by George Vanderbilt, the grandson of shipping and industrialist Cornelius "the Commodore" Vanderbilt, is now a popular tourist attraction and family business.
Fourth and fifth generations of Vanderbilt descendants run the day-to-day operations, along with more than 2,000 employees. The 8,000-acre estate houses shops, restaurants and lodging, and it also hosts events.
FOX CORPORATION LAUNCHES DONATION DRIVE FOR AMERICAN RED CROSS HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF EFFORTS
The Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in America, built by George Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895, is one of area's major tourist draws as viewed Oct. 20, 2016, in Asheville, N.C. (George Rose/Getty Images / Getty Images)
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Biltmore Estate & Asheville North Carolina
Before and after Hurricane Helene
The Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in America, built by George Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895, is one of the area's major tourist draws as seen Oct. 20, 2016, in Asheville, N.C.
Named one of the "Top 10 Great Places to Retire" by AARP, Asheville is experiencing a major cultural revolution with the addition of new residents, restaurants, live music and a vibrant arts community.
The Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in America, was built by George Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895.
The Southern Highland Craft Guild building is surrounded by debris at the Biltmore Village across from the Biltmore Estate in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Oct. 1, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.
A flood-damaged car outside the Ichiban restaurant at the Biltmore Village across from the Biltmore Estate in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Oct. 1, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.
Police walk toward the Grand Bohemian hotel at the Biltmore Village across from the Biltmore Estate in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Oct. 1, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.
The Grand Bohemian hotel with mud at it's entrance at the Biltmore Village across from the Biltmore Estate in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Oct. 1, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.
The entrance to the Biltmore Estate is surrounded by debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Oct. 1, 2024 in Asheville, N.C.
ELON MUSK RIPS FCC FOR HURRICANE HELENE STARLINK CHAOS
As of Friday, the storm had already claimed 230 lives with many residents still unaccounted for. In a message to the staff, Biltmore said, "We know connectivity is very limited and want you to know your safety and well-being is our top concern. Please continue to check here for closure information until we are able to repair our internal communications channels.
"We appreciate your patience as we navigate this crisis together, and we are committed to providing updates as they are available."
NORTH CAROLINA RECOVERY COULD TAKE YEARS: LAWMAKER