Governor Roy Cooper gives Helene relief briefing at Asheville airport: 'so much more to do'

The 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate, Asheville's biggest attraction that welcomes 1.4 million visitors a year, had significant damage in some buildings after Helene ripped through Western North Carolina, the Biltmore said.

"We are still assessing impacts to the estate from Tropical Storm Helene and that will take some time," the Biltmore said in a statement Thursday.

The estate is home to the Biltmore House, America's largest privately owned mansion. The 250-room house, along with the estate's winery, conservatory and hotels, "received minimal or no damage from the storm," the Biltmore said.

But low-lying parts of the estate, including the entrance and the farm, "experienced significant flooding and damage to buildings," the Biltmore said. "We sadly lost a few of our animals during the storm, but the vast majority are safe and accounted for."

In the forested areas, which make up "a large portion of the estate, wind damage is extensive to grounds and some structures," the Biltmore said. "Crews have been working tirelessly to clear roads so we can begin repairs."

When will the Biltmore reopen?

It's not clear when the estate will reopen, but "Initial assessments indicate the estate will be closed to guests until at least October 15," the Biltmore said on its website. "We will continue to provide updates about operations beyond that date as they are available."

Biltmore Estate is in Buncombe County, the unexpected epicenter of deaths and destruction from Helene. At least 72 victims have died in Buncombe County as of Friday, and about 78,000 homes and businesses there still didn't have power one week after Helene's deadly rampage.

The electricity substation serving Biltmore Village, a popular destination just outside the estate, had catastrophic damage and will take months to repair, regional power company Duke Energy said Friday.

"The water line is almost to the top of that substation," Duke Energy spokesperson Bill Norton said. "That substation alone is going to take three or four months to repair. Obviously, we are not going to keep those customers out for three or four months. So what we did is we wheeled in a 200,000-pound mobile substation."

The mobile substation is expected to be powered by Sunday. "We're digging new spots for wiring so that it will be underground and safe," Norton said.

About 105,000 homes and businesses in Western North Carolina will have "long-term" power outages after Helene demolished key infrastructure, Norton said.

As for the Biltmore Village substation that will take months to repair, Norton said crews will try to "build it again on higher ground over the floodwall around it."

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There have been between 32 and 37 near misses between aircraft over the skies of North Carolina since Helene hit, a federal official with direct knowledge told ABC News.

There has been a 300% increase in aircraft in the skies over the western part of the state since the storm, according to the FAA.

It's not believed any commercial planes were involved in these close calls.

Officials are now requiring pilots to ask permission to fly into affected areas before flights to keep air traffic in check and maintain control.

Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland said in a statement Friday that the legislature will work on a disaster relief package for those affected by Helene.

"Over the past week, we've heard directly from residents in Western North Carolina and have seen the devastation firsthand. Our hearts are broken for the communities that have been ravaged by Hurricane Helene. Despite the destruction, it has been incredible to see how North Carolinians have stepped up to help. We cannot let up on those efforts or forget about the small communities that have been effectively closed off because of this storm.

"The General Assembly is preparing to come back next week to vote on an initial disaster relief package to facilitate the state's response to Hurricane Helene. We are still working to determine what needs to be included in that legislation. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims of this storm and those who have lost loved ones, as well as the aid workers, volunteers, and rescue teams supporting the region."

The state's top elected leaders - Berger, Moore, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Gov. Roy Cooper among them - have traveled to the mountains to see the damage firsthand.

North Carolina Search and Rescue Team Task Force 8 headed to Mitchell County Friday morning.

The team included 16 Raleigh firefighters and five Durham firefighters. Three other firefighters from Chapel Hill left Thursday.

The team is tasked with a heavy mission going to each structure (or what was left of a house or building) and looking for people who need help.

Clayton Welch with the Raleigh Fire Department said: "I don't think any of us are really prepared for what we may see. But we're just going into it with a positive mind frame and just hoping that we can help some people out."

Wake County EMS sent out two of their search and rescue and swift water medics with Task Force 8.

"They are embedded in primarily for the physical health of the team members," Candice Carter, a special operations commander with Wake County EMS, said, "but they are also there for the mental health of all the team members.

The team will relieve a crew that left Thursday before Helene hit.