Sending LOVE to Southwest Virginia

Sending LOVE to Southwest Virginia

Our hearts go out to the communities in Southwest Virginia and our neighboring states impacted by Hurricane Helene. While the storm has passed, the effects will be felt in some of our Southwest Virginia communities for weeks and months to come. Please know that VTC is here to offer support and resources to our tourism partners during this difficult time.

Resident and visitor safety is our top priority, and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Virginia Department of Transportation are monitoring conditions as response efforts are underway.

We are encouraging visitors planning to travel to or through the southwestern region of Virginia in the coming weeks to exercise caution and allow extra travel time during this developing situation. While travel in some Southwest Virginia destinations is challenging at this time, some counties and cities in the region are open and ready to welcome visitors.

Submit Your Status Updates to VTC

To help VTC stay informed about the current status of attractions in affected communities, please fill out this form. This is a simple way to let us know if your attraction is open, closed, operating on limited hours, etc. so we can keep travelers informed.

If you are not in the affected areas, we would still appreciate you filling this out to let us know of hotel availability in your destination.

Traveler Assistance & Navigating Road Closures

Visitors are encouraged to call 1.800.847.4882 for planning assistance if alternative travel plans are necessary. Virginia.org will also be updated regularly with the latest information.

For traveler assistance navigating road closures in Southwest Virginia, please direct visitors to call the Virginia Welcome Center at Covington - 540.559.3010 or the Virginia Welcome Center at Clear Brook - at 540.722.3448. Please note, Virginia Welcome Centers are staffed from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

Please direct travelers to 511 Virginia or recommend they download the Virginia 511 mobile app for road closures and current traffic conditions.

For roadways, the public should report any concerns such as flooding, downed trees, or road hazards to VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

Helpful Resources

Virginia State Park Closures

Virginia Department of Emergency Management

The Heritage Emergency National Task Force

Co-sponsored by FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution, The Heritage Emergency National Task Force strives to protect cultural and historic resources in our nation’s states, tribes, territories and local communities from the damaging effects of disasters. In addition to assisting museums and other cultural institutions when their collections are damaged by an event, HENTF helps reduce disaster suffering by assisting the public in salvaging flood-damaged family heirlooms.

How You Can Help

If you would like to help support the affected areas, please visit United Way of Southwest Virginia - Disaster Relief Fund.