How will Helene impact NC’s First in Fright tourism campaign?

Before I launch into this post, let me start by saying my thoughts and prayers are with the people of North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destruction. Especially those in the western half of the state. Having seen first-hand the years of rebuilding that both hurricanes and floods can cause a community, I know the daunting road that lies ahead for the survivors. My heart is with them as they navigate first the recovery and damage assessment stage, and then the long process of replacing what was lost.

As far as replacing the material things that were lost. The loss of life…well, that’s something I have not experienced, not from something weather-related, at any rate. I can’t even begin to imagine the heartache of those who lost friends and loved ones in the wake of this tragedy. All I can offer is prayers for strength to face the days ahead, and that comfort finds them in unexpected ways to soothe their souls when they need it most.

The Visit North Carolina First in Fright Tourism Campaign

On September 13, Visit North Carolina launched its First in Fright paranormal tourism campaign.

“North Carolina is known for being ‘First in Flight”” Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit NC, explained. “We’re excited that travelers will now recognize our state as ‘First in Fright‘ as well.”

Clever and catchy play on words, right? I just love it when convention and visitor bureaus promote paranormal tourism within their cities and states. (Visit the Resources page to see a list of those who do it.)

Several sections comprise the First in Fright page. In addition to an NC Haunted Trail map, you’ll find lists of haunted places, including spooky stays, creepy places along their coast, and mysterious mountain destinations. There’s even a section that lists the state’s seasonal haunted hayrides and attractions.

Then there’s the podcast.

The First in Fright Podcast

The “First in Fright” podcast consists of eight episodes “wrapped in immersive sound design.” They “feature local storytellers and first-hand accounts from the people who experienced them.”

Episode themes include Carolina Cryptids, Unexplained Phenomena, Old North Witches, and Traveling Terrors, and include stories like:

• The Devil’s Tramping Ground, a strangely barren clearing near Siler City. Curious campers can reserve a spot near the perfect circle of a site that some say is cursed by the devil himself.
• Battleship North Carolina, a well-decorated World War II vessel moored in Wilmington. Frequent paranormal reports have emerged: hatches mysteriously opening, lights switched on and off, and the appearance of a young sailor in the washroom. Beyond regular tours, travelers can watch for special events such as those offered this fall by Haunted Rooms of America.
• Brown Mountain Lights, a phenomenon that unfolds over Linville Gorge near Morganton. For hundreds of years, the appearance of mysterious lights have been described as rising above the peaks of Linville Gorge. The size, shape and color often change. Viewer guides are available at the Discover Burke visitor center downtown.
• Madison Dry Goods, a shop in downtown Madison that owes its popularity in part to its museum, which occupies a former funeral parlor space on the second floor. Hauntings tied to a family’s murder in 1929 have been reported.

The podcast can be accessed at NCFirstInFright.com or through Apple, Spotify, and other major streaming platforms. You can also find it on YouTube. The first episode is embedded below.

Helene’s Impact

An ultimate October getaway that combines leaf-peeping with a jaunt to some of First in Fright’s spooky travel suggestions would be phenomenal during any other year than this one.

North Carolina isn’t going to recover from Helene anytime soon. “Catastrophic” doesn’t even seem close to the right word to use for the places she impacted. Roads are not just impassable from fallen trees or mudslides. In some cases, they’re completely wiped out. Annihilated. We’re talking about a major rebuilding of infrastructure.

Among the hardest hit places were North Carolina’s mountains in the western part of the state. Asheville’s Omni Grove Park Inn is one of the South’s most romantic historic haunted hotels. While it didn’t sustain any flooding damage like much of the rest of the area did, as of the publication of this post, it doesn’t have water or electricity. Therefore, it’s closed temporarily but indefinitely.

Travel Advisories

In fact, Visit North Carolina posted this travel advisory about Western NC on its website:

State and local officials strongly advise all motorists avoid travel in Western North Carolina due to the continued risk of flash flooding, landslides, damaging debris flows, slope failures, riverine flooding and downed trees. Power and cell phone service outages are also widespread and there are shortages of water, food and gas.

If you do have upcoming plans, here’s what else they advise:

Visitors should not travel into the mountains and should call their travel provider to confirm alternative travel plans, including reservations with lodging providers, and heed any guidance from local officials. If you cannot reach your travel provider, you should consider them to be unavailable and delay your trip until you have confirmation they are open and ready to welcome visitors.

Other Options

But what about the rest of the state? Per Visit North Carolina, “While travelers should avoid the mountains in Western North Carolina, our Piedmont and Coastal destinations are ready and welcoming visitors.”

They’re both areas that you’ll also find on the First in Fright website and discussed on its podcast.

For More Info

Visit https://www.visitnc.com/first-in-fright.

Check-In

Have you ever visited any of North Carolina’s haunted places?