From Staff Reports

Biltmore Village, the eclectic community across from the historic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, “was decimated’ by Hurricane Helene, Fox Business reported on Oct. 5.

“The nearby Bilmore Village experienced significant flooding when the Swannanoa River and other waterways overflowed into the streets and businesses, though the estate itself is not reported to have experienced major damage,” Fox Business added.

The low-lying Biltmore Village has suffered a number of floods throughout its recorded history.

 â€œBuncombe County officials announced Sept. 26 that residents in Biltmore Village in Asheville should evacuate ahead of Helene making landfall” and “now, the area is experiencing historic flooding — thanks to Helene — and is largely underwater,” the Asheville Citizen Times reported on Sept. 28.

As for Biltmore Village’s history, Wikipedia stated that it “is a small village that is now entirely in the city limits of Asheville, North Carolina. It is adjacent to the main entrance of the Biltmore Estate, built by George W. Vanderbilt, one of the heirs to the Vanderbilt family fortune. 

“Once known as the Town of Best, George Vanderbilt created this village as a ‘company town’ for the estate workers.

“The community was planned and designed to reflect the qualities of an English country village. 

“The village had its own church, which is still in operation today as the Cathedral of All Souls, an Episcopal cathedral. The village also had a hospital, shops, a school, a train station and other services available.”