Shutdown disrupts some services, spares most of WNC
As the federal government shutdown drags into its second week, Western North Carolina has so far escaped major impacts — but that could change quickly. Some federal agencies have curtailed operations, some public lands have opened and closed in cycles and some regional offices are bracing for deeper impacts if the impasse lingers.
Social Security checks will still be distributed, but field offices may experience staffing limits. No office closures in North Carolina were noted as of noon on Oct. 7. Visit ssa.gov/agency/emergency for more information.
Federal courts remain open, including the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, with updates posted at ncwd.uscourts.gov.
The IRS has scaled back operations, though in-person taxpayer assistance centers, including Asheville, continue to accept appointments through irs.gov/help/contact-your-local-irs-office. The website, however, says the office is currently closed.
The U.S. Postal Service is largely funded by its own revenue and continues to operate, but facility-specific disruptions are reported at about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has stopped updating its website, noaa.gov, however other NOAA websites and social media channels “necessary to protect lives and property” will be maintained, according to a statement on the main site.
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USDA service centers, vital for farmers and landowners across the region, can be found through offices.sc.egov.usda.gov. No closures have yet been reported by the USDA, although usda.gov says it will not be updated during the shutdown.
Veterans’ health care and benefits remain funded, and regional facilities including the Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Asheville and clinics in Franklin, Hickory and Forest City are all reporting normal hours and services.
The National Flood Insurance Program has been suspended — existing policies cannot be renewed and no new flood insurance policies will be issued, effectively freezing real estate transactions in floodplains. Policies active before the shutdown remain in effect.
Even if the shutdown lingers, Western North Carolina residents can still access National Parks and National Forests, though possibly without the staffing or facilities that make them fully usable.
Using doi.gov/shutdown for more information may not be viable; the website indicates that it will not be updated until funding resumes.
Visit NC, the state’s tourism promotion agency, maintains a list of closures not only for WNC, but also for various other federal assets across the state, including the National Seashore. The list is available at visitnc.com/alternative-experiences-during-government-shutdown.
In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, areas reported closed on Oct. 1 reopened Oct. 4, although this may change. To view an interactive map listing all closures, visit nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.
In Haywood County, Blue Ridge Parkway access points are vulnerable to shutdown-related service interruptions, although the road itself may remain open unless weather or maintenance issues intervene. Right now, the Parkway remains open. A full list of current closures by milepost can be found at nps.go v /blri / planyourvisit / roadclosures.htm.
The Pisgah National Forest, which covers the county’s northeastern reaches, maintains an updated alerts page for roads and trails at fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices. These alerts include seasonal closures as well as shutdown-related changes. No closures have yet been reported.
The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority has launched a page to keep track of what’s open and what’s not. Check visithaywood.com/alerts for updated info.
In Jackson County, impacts could eventually be felt near the Oconaluftee entrance to the Smokies, which connects directly into Cherokee. Visitor facilities there are subject to closure even a trails remain open to the public. Conditions for this area are listed at nps.go v/ grsm / planyourvisit / conditions.htm.
Blue Ridge Parkway access points in the county are subject to the same limitations as in Haywood County.
The Nantahala National Forest, which extends across large parts of Jackson County, maintains real-time alerts and closure notices at fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices.
In Macon County, which contains part of the southern end of the Nantahala National Forest, shutdown impacts could be felt on trails, roads and at recreation sites monitored through the same USDA alerts page.
In Swain County, where Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers much of the land area, the effects of the shutdown could be more visible. The Deep Creek area near Bryson City, as well as Lakeshore Drive along Fontana Lake, may remain open but without visitor services. Conditions and closures in the park and for the Blue Ridge Parkway are posted at nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.
In the Tusquitee Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest — including Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties, updates are posted through an alerts page at fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices. Roads such as Tuni Gap and other rural access points may be affected by ongoing closures.
(All information in this story was accurate as of the afternoon of Oct. 7. Conditions could change at any time. Be sure to check back with The Smoky Mountain News for updates as the federal shutdown progresses.)
