PLAN YOUR PERFECT ESCAPE HELENE IMPACTS: HOW TO PLAN, HOW TO HELP s we go to press in November-almost exactly two months after Hurricane Helene's remnants caused catastrophic and historic damage to many communities, allow us to encourage three things: 1. Check ahead on your destination's status for visitors. 2. Don't automatically dismiss the hard-hit areas, including locations in western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia and upcountry South Carolina. Many parts of those areas continue to undergo near-miraculous comebacks, including a welcome to travelers in some instances. Here are a few spots to check on progress and re-openings in those areas: North Carolina: visitnc.com/ advisory/cAdA/hurricane-helenetravel-advisory Tennessee: tnvacation.com/articles/tennessee-travel-resourceshurricane-helene Virginia: virginia.org/plan-yourtrip South Carolina: upcountrysc. com 3. Consider combing your vacation with helping out in hard-hit areas. Here are a few websites with more information on voluntourism and other help: nc211.org/hurricane-helenevolunteer-opportunities destinationmcdowell.com/blog/ making-an-impact-voluntourismin-mcdowell-county-nc/ allhandsandhearts.org/volunteer/ hurricane-helene-relief-volunteerapplication virginiavoad.org/how-to-help__ trashed/helene-resources/ tn.gov/tema/updates/hurricanehelene/volunteers-and-donations. html scemd.org/recover/volunteer-anddonate -KR 38 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM Ahttp://www.berkeleysprings.com https://www.visitnc.com/advisory/cAdA/hurricane-helene-travel-advisory http://www.tnvacation.com/articles/tennessee-travel-resources-hurricane-helene http://www.virginia.org/plan-your-trip http://www.upcountrysc.com http://www.cannontn.org/visit http://www.nc211.org/hurricane-helene-volunteer-opportunities http://www.destinationmcdowell.com/blog/making-an-impact-voluntourism-in-mcdowell-county-nc https://www.allhandsandhearts.org/volunteer/hurricane-milton-relief-volunteer-application/ http://www.virginiavoad.org/how-to-help__trashed/helene-resources http://www.tn.gov/tema/updates/hurricane-helene/volunteers-and-donations.html http://www.scemd.org/recover/volunteer-and-donate http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM