The short answer is no, the water is gone, but that doesn't mean the mud is. If you're looking at your screen wondering is Asheville still flooded, you're likely seeing ghosts of the catastrophic footage from late 2024. The Swannanoa and French Broad rivers aren't sitting in the streets anymore. They've retreated. What’s left behind is a city—and a region—split between a desperate need for normalcy and the grueling reality of a multi-year rebuild.
It's weird. You can grab a latte in North Asheville and feel like nothing ever happened. Then you drive five minutes toward the River Arts District (RAD) and it looks like a war zone. Honestly, the term "flooded" doesn't quite capture what people are dealing with now; it’s more about the infrastructure that the water took with it when it left.
The current state of Asheville's "flood" zones
When people ask if the city is still under water, they’re usually thinking about the Biltmore Village area or the RAD. Those spots were essentially the drainage basin for the Appalachian mountains during the storm. Today, the standing water is gone. You won't need a boat. You will, however, need a high-clearance vehicle for certain backroads and a whole lot of patience for the dust.
The silt is everywhere. When the French Broad flooded, it deposited a thick, toxic layer of river mud that has since dried into a fine powder. On windy days, the "flood" is actually in the air. Business owners in the RAD are literally scraping their lives out of the ground. Many of the iconic galleries are gutted shells. Some are rebuilding, others are just... gone.
What's actually open?
Downtown Asheville is remarkably resilient. Most of the shops along Broadway and Haywood are humming. The beer is flowing—mostly. The South Slope brewing district is largely functional, though the vibe is definitely more "community support" than "bachelorette party central" these days.
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- The Biltmore Estate: They worked like crazy to reopen. The house itself, sitting high on its hill, was fine. The lower gardens and the winery took hits, but they are welcoming guests. It’s a huge engine for the local economy, so their reopening was a massive psychological win for the town.
- West Asheville: Haywood Road is busy. Most of the restaurants there survived because they sit on a ridge.
- The River Arts District: This is the heartbreak. While some spots have popped back up (shoutout to the resilience of the Wedge), a huge chunk of this area remains a construction and debris-removal site.
The water crisis wasn't just about the flood
Here is the thing most people get wrong. The flooding stopped being the main problem about 48 hours after the storm. The real nightmare was the "water" in the pipes—or the lack thereof. The city’s water system was decimated. We’re talking about massive bypass lines being built over rugged terrain because the original pipes are buried under landslides or simply don't exist anymore.
For a long time, the "flood" was a dry one. Businesses couldn't open because they didn't have pressurized water, or the water was under a boil-water advisory for weeks on end. Even now, while the city has restored most service, the system is fragile. If you visit, don't be surprised if your hotel has specific rules about water usage. It’s not just a suggestion; it’s a necessity.
Is it ethical to visit Asheville right now?
This is the big debate in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Some locals will tell you to stay away because the roads are packed with debris trucks and "disaster tourists" make them angry. Others—specifically the waitstaff, bartenders, and hotel workers—are practically begging you to come back.
Tourism is the lifeblood here. Without it, the "flood" becomes a permanent economic depression.
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If you decide to go, you've gotta be a different kind of tourist. Don't go to gawk at the wreckage in Swannanoa or the RAD. Don't block the path of utility crews. If you see a road closed sign, it’s not a challenge; it’s there because the road might literally fall off the mountain.
The "Hidden" damage: Roads and the Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a mess in certain sections. While large chunks have reopened, others are closed indefinitely due to "slope failures." That’s a fancy way of saying the mountain moved and took the asphalt with it. You can't just "fix" that in a weekend. It requires massive engineering feats.
Reality check: What you'll see in early 2026
If you're driving in from I-26 or I-40, the drive looks mostly normal until it doesn't. You’ll see "Asheville Strong" signs on every fence. You’ll see empty lots where houses used to be. You'll also see a lot of incredibly tired people.
The mud is the main character now. It’s in the cracks of the sidewalks. It’s on the tires of every car. It’s a constant reminder. But is Asheville still flooded? No. The rivers are back in their banks, behaving themselves for now. The city is transitioning from "survival mode" to "the long haul."
Real-world logistics for travelers:
- Hotels: Most are open, but call ahead. Some are still housing displaced residents or recovery workers.
- Hiking: Check the Carolina Mountain Club or AllTrails for recent comments. Many trails are blocked by hundreds of downed trees (blowdowns) that haven't been cleared yet.
- Air Quality: If you have asthma, be careful. As mentioned, that dried river silt is no joke when the wind picks up.
Moving forward with Western North Carolina
We have to stop thinking of "the flood" as an event that ended. For the people in Black Mountain, Chimney Rock, and the River Arts District, it's a daily presence. But the city is open. The arts are still here, even if the galleries moved to higher ground or a temporary pop-up.
Basically, if you want to help, come spend some money. Eat at a local spot like Chai Pani or Nine Mile. Buy a piece of pottery. Tip your server like they just survived a natural disaster—because they did.
Actionable steps for your trip:
- Check the NCDOT DriveNC map daily. Landslides don't always happen during the rain; sometimes the ground gives way weeks later.
- Support the "Help Asheville Guide." Many local creators have built living documents of what is open. Use them.
- Bring a reusable water bottle and perhaps some gallon jugs. Even if the water is "on," having your own supply takes the pressure off local infrastructure.
- Avoid the "Disaster Selfie." It sounds obvious, but don't be the person taking photos in front of someone's destroyed home. It’s tacky and hurtful.
- Look into volunteer shifts. Organizations like BeLoved Asheville are still doing incredible work. If you're coming for a weekend, spend four hours hauling supplies. It’ll change your perspective on the whole trip.
The mountains are still there. The mist still hangs over the ridges in that specific, "smoky" way that gave the range its name. Asheville isn't under water, but it is under construction. If you can handle a little grit and some detours, it’s still one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Just don't expect the polished, postcard version of 2023. This is the 2026 version: bruised, muddy, but very much alive.