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Hurricane Helene’s Aftermath: Biltmore Estate Closed After Severe Flood Damage

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Damage from Helene at the Biltmore entrance in Biltmore Village. Courtesy of The Biltmore Company
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The remnants of Hurricane Helene have left a trail of devastation across Western North Carolina, with the iconic Biltmore Estate among the many locations impacted. Torrential rains and subsequent flooding caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and tourist attractions, including one of the state’s most beloved sites. Biltmore Estate, a historic landmark known for its grandeur, has been forced to close its doors to the public until further notice. As of the latest reports, the estate is expected to remain closed until at least October 15, 2024.

Hurricane Helene’s Impact on Western North Carolina

Hurricane Helene, which made its way across the Southeast, brought unprecedented rainfall to the region, triggering major flooding in North Carolina. Western parts of the state, including Asheville and the surrounding areas, were particularly hard-hit by the storm’s remnants. The Swannanoa River, located near Biltmore Village, overflowed due to the heavy downpour, flooding homes, businesses, and historical landmarks.

The damage in Asheville and nearby communities has been described as catastrophic, with many properties submerged and vital infrastructure severely compromised. Roadways, bridges, and power lines were also affected, leaving thousands without access to critical services. While the full scale of the damage is still being assessed, officials and volunteers are working tirelessly to begin the recovery process.

Biltmore Estate Closes Indefinitely Due to Flood Damage

The 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate, situated in Asheville, is one of the largest and most visited private estates in the United States. Known for its luxurious architecture, sprawling gardens, and world-class wineries, the estate is a significant tourist attraction that draws millions of visitors annually. Unfortunately, it has not been spared from Hurricane Helene’s wrath.

According to the latest updates from the Biltmore Company, the estate sustained significant damage in certain parts, particularly low-lying areas like Biltmore Village. These sections, which include the entrance and nearby buildings, experienced major flooding and structural damage. Roads throughout the property were blocked, and several buildings suffered extensive water damage. Forested areas within the estate were also heavily impacted by wind damage.

Storm damage at Biltmore Estate’s lodge gate after Hurricane Helene. Courtesy of The Biltmore Company

Storm damage at Biltmore Estate’s lodge gate after Hurricane Helene. Courtesy of The Biltmore Company

Though much of the estate’s destruction is still being evaluated, the Biltmore team has confirmed that the main house, Conservatory, gardens, and hotels have been largely unaffected. However, it will take time to fully assess the damage to other parts of the property, such as the farm and roads leading to the main attractions. The Biltmore Estate has expressed its commitment to recovery, but officials caution that repairs could take weeks or even months, depending on the extent of the damage.

Rescue Efforts and Animal Safety

Amid the chaos caused by Hurricane Helene, one of the estate’s top priorities was ensuring the safety of its animals. Biltmore’s agricultural and equestrian teams worked tirelessly to protect the animals housed on the property. Sadly, a few animals were lost due to the extreme weather conditions, but the majority have been accounted for and are safe. The estate expressed deep sorrow for the loss but remains grateful for the team’s efforts in safeguarding the rest of the livestock.

Recovery efforts have begun in earnest, with crews working to clear roads and remove debris from the flooded areas. These efforts are essential not only for the recovery of the estate but also for ensuring that Biltmore can reopen its doors to visitors as soon as it is safe to do so. The team remains optimistic that they will be able to restore the estate to its former glory, though it will take time.

 

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Closure and Rescheduling for Visitors

As of now, Biltmore Estate remains closed to all visitors, including Biltmore Annual Passholders, Vanderbilt Wine Club members, and Sporting Clay Club members. Guests who had planned to visit during this time are encouraged to reschedule their visit or request a refund through the Biltmore website. Those who had booked overnight stays between September 27 and October 15 have had their reservations automatically canceled, and a 12-month credit has been provided.

Biltmore has emphasized its commitment to providing updates and assistance to those affected by the closure. The estate’s team is working diligently to reschedule visits and ensure that guests can experience the magic of Biltmore once the property is safe to reopen.

Support for the Asheville Community

Beyond the boundaries of Biltmore Estate, the effects of Hurricane Helene have been devastating for the entire Asheville community. Flooding has caused significant damage in Biltmore Village, a historic area near the estate known for its charming architecture and vibrant local businesses. The River Arts District, a popular destination for art lovers, has also been severely impacted, with many galleries and studios sustaining flood damage.

The Biltmore Estate has expressed its heartfelt sympathy for the local community and has vowed to support recovery efforts in any way possible. In a recent statement, the estate’s leadership thanked the first responders, utility workers, and volunteers who have been working around the clock to assist in the recovery process. The team at Biltmore remains committed to doing their part in helping Asheville recover from this unprecedented disaster.

The group sales office at Biltmore Estate after Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina as a tropical storm. Courtesy of The Biltmore company

The group sales office at Biltmore Estate after Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina as a tropical storm. Courtesy of The Biltmore company

Looking Toward Recovery

As Western North Carolina begins the long road to recovery, there is hope that the region will bounce back stronger than ever. Biltmore Estate, with its historical significance and enduring appeal, remains a symbol of resilience for the local community. Though the damage is severe, the estate’s leadership and staff are determined to restore the property and welcome visitors back in the near future.

In the meantime, the team at Biltmore continues to work alongside local officials and organizations to provide aid to those affected by the storm. Efforts are being made to assess the full extent of the damage, clear debris, and begin the rebuilding process.

While Biltmore Estate and the surrounding areas face significant challenges, the outpouring of support from the community and beyond provides a glimmer of hope. With time and effort, Biltmore and Asheville will recover and once again be a thriving destination for tourists from around the world.

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Tanner Buchanan & Mary Mouser Spark Romance Rumors with Kiss & Matching Rings

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Tanner Buchanan & Mary Mouser Confirm Romance with Kiss
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Tanner Buchanan and Mary Mouser have finally put the speculation to rest by confirming their romance, but their recent public appearance has sparked even more questions about their relationship status. The Cobra Kai stars stepped out together for the series-finale premiere event on Wednesday, February 12, and left fans buzzing about the possibility that they may have taken their relationship to the next level.

During the red carpet event at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, Buchanan, 26, and Mouser, 28, shared several sweet moments, including an affectionate kiss in front of the cameras. While their display of affection was enough to make headlines, what really caught everyone’s attention were the matching rings both actors wore on their left hands. The coordinated jewelry had fans wondering whether the two had secretly gotten engaged or if the rings were just a sentimental symbol of their connection. PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for both stars for clarification on the nature of the rings.Tanner Buchanan & Mary Mouser Confirm Romance with Kiss

For the event, Buchanan looked dapper in a sleek, classic suit paired with a lighter-colored shirt, while Mouser shined in a shimmering minidress that perfectly complemented the celebratory evening. As the two posed together, it was clear they were completely at ease, exchanging loving glances and exuding a chemistry that has been evident to fans both on and off-screen.

While speaking to PEOPLE at the event, Buchanan opened up about the deep friendships that the Cobra Kai cast has formed over the years. He described Mouser as “a hundred percent” one of his closest confidants and emphasized how much the entire cast means to each other.

“To be honest, literally everybody,” Buchanan said when asked who he considers a ride-or-die among the Cobra Kai family. “There’s not one person that we don’t hang out with and have fun with, and we truly keep saying that we’re going to be around in each other’s lives forever. I don’t know how to explain it.”Tanner Buchanan & Mary Mouser Confirm Romance with Kiss

Reflecting on the end of the beloved Netflix series, he added, “It’s just this really crazy, weird, cool family connection that we’ve built over the past seven and a half years, and none of us are ever not going to be in each other’s lives.”

The journey of Cobra Kai has been nothing short of remarkable. Originally premiering on YouTube in 2018, the Karate Kid sequel series quickly gained a dedicated following. After transitioning to Netflix in 2020, the show saw even greater success, expanding its fanbase and becoming one of the streaming giant’s most popular series. However, in 2023, series creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg announced that season six would be Cobra Kai’s final chapter.

As the cast wrapped up filming, emotions were high, and Buchanan admitted that saying goodbye was incredibly difficult. He described his final day on set as an emotional whirlwind, revealing that he struggled to hold back tears from the moment he woke up.Tanner Buchanan & Mary Mouser Confirm Romance with Kiss

“I’d woken up about three hours before I was supposed to be on set and laid in bed just staring at the ceiling,” he recalled. “As soon as I got up to get ready, I just started crying. And then I had to pull it together. I was like, ‘Nope, nope. Got to hold it together until the end of the day.’”

Buchanan wasn’t alone in feeling the weight of the moment—his castmates also experienced tear-filled goodbyes as they concluded their seven-year journey together.

Even though Cobra Kai is coming to an end, Buchanan remains open to the possibility of returning to the Karate Kid universe in the future. When asked whether he’d ever reprise his role, he didn’t hesitate.

“You never know, but I hope so,” he said. “I would love nothing more than if they gave me the call. If they told me right now we’re going back in a few months, I’d be like, ‘Great, let’s go. Let’s just do it.’ And I hope we do get to revisit these characters later down the line at some point.”Tanner Buchanan & Mary Mouser Confirm Romance with Kiss

While fans are preparing to say farewell to Cobra Kai, they still have the final episodes to look forward to, as they are now available for streaming on Netflix.

In the meantime, Buchanan and Mouser’s relationship revelation has given fans another reason to celebrate. Whether or not the matching rings signify an engagement, it’s clear that the duo has a special bond that extends beyond their on-screen roles. With their undeniable chemistry, shared experiences, and now-public romance, they’ve proven that Cobra Kai may be ending, but their story is just beginning.

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White House Defends Blocking AP Reporters Over Gulf Name Dispute

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White House Blocks AP Over Gulf of America Naming Dispute
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The White House made it clear on Wednesday that it accepts news associations declining to utilize President Donald Trump’s new name for the Bay of Mexico are spreading misleading data. Thus, the organization has banned Related Press (AP) writers from going to official occasions, raising strains between the press and the White House.

Trump gave a request renaming the worldwide waterway as the “Bay of America.” In any case, the AP chose to keep utilizing its verifiable name, Bay of Mexico, while recognizing Trump’s mandate in its detailing. This choice is in accordance with AP’s well established obligation to involving generally perceived geological names for lucidity and consistency.

At a press preparation, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt protected the organization’s position, demanding that the new name is a reality. She communicated disarray over why news associations won’t go along. Nonetheless, the Inlet of Mexico has been known by that name for many years, and a critical part of it doesn’t have a place with the US.White House Blocks AP Over Gulf of America Naming Dispute

The White House’s choice to limit AP journalists has drawn analysis from press opportunity advocates. On Tuesday, AP columnists were impeded from covering occasions in the Oval Office and the Conciliatory Banquet hall. Albeit an AP columnist was available at the White House preparation on Wednesday, they were denied section to one more occasion where Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed as public insight chief.

Julie Speed, AP’s senior VP and leader manager, officially protested these activities in a letter to White House Head of Staff Susie Wiles. She contended that the choice was a reasonable endeavor to rebuff the AP for practicing its publication judgment. Pace underscored that the Main Alteration disallows the public authority from fighting back against the press for its discourse.White House Blocks AP Over Gulf of America Naming Dispute

Accordingly, the White House guarded its position to conclude who approaches the Oval Office. Leavitt expressed that nobody has an innate right to enter and scrutinize the president. Customarily, when space is restricted at White House occasions, a little gathering of columnists known as the press pool is chosen to join in. The AP, as a significant news organization, has regularly been remembered for that pool.

Whenever found out if excepting AP columnists was a demonstration of counter, Leavitt called attention to that the name change had been authoritatively reported by the Inside Secretary. She likewise guaranteed that most other media sources had embraced the expression “Inlet of America,” a case that stays questioned.

The White House’s activities have raised worries among press opportunity associations. Eminent First Revision legal counselor Floyd Abrams denounced the move as an infringement of sacred press insurances. He focused on that excepting a writer over their association’s language decisions is an immediate attack against the free press.White House Blocks AP Over Gulf of America Naming Dispute

Likewise, the Bury American Press Affiliation (IAPA), an alliance of information associations, marked the choice a demonstration of oversight and terrorizing. IAPA President José Roberto Dutriz cautioned that limiting press access and singling out the AP mirrors a work to force government command over open data. He depicted the move as a disturbing point of reference with possibly broad outcomes.

The contention has additionally impacted computerized planning administrations. Google has refreshed its U.S. rendition of Google Guides to mirror the new name, distinguishing the waterway as the “Bay of America.” In any case, in Mexico, the name remains “Bay of Mexico,” and in different areas of the planet, the guide presently shows “Bay of Mexico (Bay of America).”

In spite of tension from the White House, significant media sources have taken various positions on the issue. The New York Times declared that it would keep utilizing the term Inlet of Mexico while referencing Trump’s renaming choice when important. Editors brought up that the waterway borders Mexico and Cuba as well as the US and has conveyed its ebb and flow name for over 400 years.White House Blocks AP Over Gulf of America Naming Dispute

Also, The Washington Post expressed that it would keep alluding to the waterway as the Bay of Mexico in many settings. Editors made sense of that the name “Bay of America” could delude worldwide perusers since the area isn’t solely inside U.S. locale.

Fox News, then again, agreed with the White House, declaring that it would start utilizing “Bay of America” in all references beginning Sunday. The choice mirrors Fox’s arrangement with the organization’s situation on the issue.

Trump’s renaming of the Bay is certainly not a secluded case. The president has likewise switched a past geographic name change made by the Obama organization. In 2015, President Barack Obama reestablished Gold country’s tallest mountain to its Native name, Denali, supplanting the name Mount McKinley. Trump has now requested that the mountain return to its previous name, contending that he has the power to rename areas that fall altogether inside U.S. borders.White House Blocks AP Over Gulf of America Naming Dispute

The AP, notwithstanding, has adopted an alternate strategy to the mountain renaming. Since Denali is found exclusively inside the US, the AP has expressed that it will follow the president’s choice and allude to the top as Mount McKinley pushing ahead.

The disagreement regarding the Inlet of Mexico’s name features the developing grating between the Trump organization and the press. The White House’s choice to rebuff writers over their article decisions has drawn broad judgment, building up worries about bureaucratic power grabbing and press opportunity in the US.

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Heavy Rain Incoming: When to Expect the Wettest Hours

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Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Expected in Southern California
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A huge tempest framework is advancing to Southern California, carrying the potential for moderate to weighty downpour, solid breezes, and high-rise snowfall. Climate forecasters have been intently checking the tempest, as most would consider to be normal to heighten as it travels through the area. The Public Weather conditions Administration has ordered the approaching climate as “huge,” and refreshed gauges currently anticipate higher measures of precipitation than initially anticipated. While Tuesday remains somewhat quiet with generally overcast skies and cooler-than-normal temperatures, the genuine effect of the tempest is set to start on Wednesday and top on Thursday.

Occupants of Southern California can anticipate far reaching precipitation, with the potential for serious storms in specific regions. A few areas could see as much as an inch of downpour each hour on Thursday, making it the most dynamic day of the tempest. Mountain people group are probably going to encounter somewhere in the range of three and six crawls of downpour, while lower-height regions could get one-and-a-half to three inches. This framework is supposed to carry truly necessary precipitation to the locale, yet it additionally raises worries about likely flooding, especially in regions inclined to spillover and those as of late impacted by fierce blazes.

Wednesday will stamp the primary indications of the tempest’s appearance, as dampness from the framework starts to spread across the district. Be that as it may, a large portion of this early precipitation is supposed to influence the Focal Coast as opposed to regions further south. The essential tempest framework will move in on Thursday, showing up as a barometrical waterway over Focal California prior to developing into a more conventional winter storm. This framework will contain both warm and cold fronts, adding to shifting circumstances all through the state.Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Expected in Southern California

Albeit the probability of tempests remains somewhat low — somewhere in the range of five and 10%, as per meteorologists — the potential for flooding is a more prominent concern. The Public Weather conditions Administration has given a Glimmer Flood Watch for regions in and around late consume scars, especially in Los Angeles and Ventura provinces. These areas are at higher gamble for trash streams, which can be risky and erratic. As well as flooding worries in consume scar regions, metropolitan flooding is likewise a chance, for certain streets and parking areas prone to encounter standing water because of the volume of downpour expected to fall in a brief period.

For those dwelling in higher rises, snowfall will turn into a main consideration as the tempest framework advances. Snow levels are supposed to drop to around 6,000 feet, with the heaviest snowfall happening over 7,500 feet. At these higher heights, snow sums could surpass 20 crawls in certain spots, making risky travel conditions and improving the probability of street terminations. The blend of weighty, wet snow serious areas of strength for and will probably provoke the Public Weather conditions Administration to give a Colder time of year Tempest Advance notice for these precipitous locales.Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Expected in Southern California

Wind speeds are one more part of the tempest that inhabitants ought to plan for. Mountain and desert networks are supposed to encounter the most grounded blasts, arriving at up to 60 miles each hour. Different pieces of Southern California, including metropolitan and waterfront regions, will see supported breezes somewhere in the range of 20 and 40 miles each hour. These high breezes can cause travel disturbances, brought down trees, and blackouts in certain areas.

In spite of the tempest’s power, daytime temperatures are not supposed to essentially change. While conditions will be cooler because of overcast cover and precipitation, there won’t be a sensational decrease in temperatures as the framework travels through.

When the end of the week shows up, the tempest framework is gauge to have moved out of the area, abandoning just shady skies. The break in the weather conditions will give an open door to the area to recuperate from any tempest related influences.Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Expected in Southern California

For those in Southern California, it is critical to remain refreshed on the most recent gauges and be ready for evolving conditions. Occupants in flood-inclined regions ought to play it safe, and explorers going to mountain districts ought to know about potential street terminations because of weighty snow areas of strength for and. With the tempest framework set to bring a blend of downpour, snow, and breezy breezes, mindfulness and readiness will be key in exploring the effects of this huge climate occasion.

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