September 20, 2025

Good Morning America Highlights Asheville’s Resilience

Asheville, North Carolina, September 20, 2025

News Summary

Good Morning America visited Asheville, North Carolina, to celebrate the community’s resilience nearly a year after Hurricane Helene struck. The broadcast from the Biltmore Estate showcased local recovery efforts and volunteer initiatives. Nearly 200 volunteers from Elon University packaged thousands of meals for families in need, and a significant grant was announced for Deaverview Mountain. The Biltmore Estate is also preparing for its first outdoor nighttime experience, Luminere, set to debut in spring 2026, further enhancing tourism in the region.

Asheville, North Carolina

Good Morning America visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, on September 18, 2025, as part of its “50 States in 50 Weeks: America the Beautiful” series. The broadcast celebrated Asheville’s resilience and recovery nearly one year after Hurricane Helene struck on September 27, 2024.

During the live broadcast, GMA correspondent Janai Norman conducted interviews on-site, highlighting efforts from local groups, businesses, and the community to foster tourism and aid recovery. The Biltmore Estate, a key attraction in the area, sustained some damage during Hurricane Helene but was able to reopen quickly for the holiday season.

As part of its recovery efforts, the Biltmore Estate is preparing for its first-ever outdoor nighttime experience, called Luminere, set to debut in spring 2026. This new feature aims to enhance visitor experiences and further boost tourism to the region.

Community goodwill was evident as nearly 200 Elon University students and staff volunteers packaged 22,680 meals for families in need during the Rise Against Hunger event held in conjunction with the broadcast. This initiative underscores the community’s commitment to helping those impacted by the hurricane.

Additionally, Buncombe County received a $4.4 million grant aimed at securing Deaverview Mountain as a public park, which will include hiking trails and scenic overlooks, further enhancing the area’s recreational offerings.

For the live filming, the public was not allowed near the closed set at the Biltmore. This broadcast is part of GMA’s initiative to visit each state in order of their admission to the United States, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the program. Through this event, the intention is to showcase Asheville’s vibrancy and spirit of resilience post-disaster.

The televised event was scheduled to air live from 7-9 a.m. ET on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Key Features of Good Morning America Broadcast

Feature	Detail
Broadcast Date	September 18, 2025
Location	Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina
Event Purpose	Highlight recovery from Hurricane Helene
Volunteer Efforts	22,680 meals packaged for families in need
Grant Received	$4.4 million for Deaverview Mountain
Upcoming Event	Luminere outdoor nighttime experience debuting in Spring 2026