Q: Is my upcoming reservation still valid? Will my vacation rental be available as planned, or are there any cancellations or changes due to the hurricane?
A: We are actively assessing the status of our properties and luckily most of our properties throughout Watauga County and Ashe County area fared well. Properties and the surrounding areas in Avery County were more significantly impacted. If your booking is impacted, our team will notify you immediately and work with you to reschedule or issue refunds. 

Q: What is the cancellation or refund policy due to the hurricane? If the storm impacts my trip, am I entitled to a refund, credit, or rescheduled stay?
A: If you are scheduled to arrive to a home in an impacted area during October, or a home that suffered storm damage, we will reach out to you to discuss options. If you are scheduled to arrive after October, please plan to keep your vacation unless you hear otherwise from us. 

Q: Are the properties safe to stay in post-hurricane? Have the properties been inspected for damage, and are they equipped with essential utilities like power and water?
A: All properties are in the process of being inspected, and we are pleased to report that so far almost all of them came through unscathed! We have only found a couple dozen homes with serious issues, and if your reservation is in one of these homes our team will contact you directly to discuss options. 

Q: Can I change my reservation dates due to the hurricane? If I choose to reschedule, are there flexible options available for changing my dates?
A: We are offering flexible cancellation and rescheduling options for guests scheduled to arrive before October 17, 2024 due to the hurricane's impact. Those with Travel Insurance are encouraged to file a claim here as soon as possible.

Q: What is the best way to get in communication with the Blue Ridge Rentals team?
A: Please email us at info@blueridgerentals.com for the quickest response.

Q: If I purchased Travel Insurance with my direct booking, how do I file a claim?
A: Our team will be happy to help you with this if you need! 

Q: What amenities are available after the hurricane? Are services like Wi-Fi, power, water, and area access fully functional after the storm?
A: Essential services like power and water are being restored. Please expect possible delays or limitations in certain areas, especially those most affected by flooding. Some roads may be closed due to the storm, so be alert for detour information. However, we will not be welcoming guests back into any of our properties until damage is resolved, and power and water is restored. 

Q: Will local businesses and attractions be open during my stay? What is the status of restaurants, shops, and local attractions following the storm?
A: We recommend contacting any specific attractions to confirm their hours as they may adjust their schedules due to this. Restaurants and businesses in the Boone and Blowing Rock areas are mostly open now, but the Banner Elk area is still heavily impacted as of mid-October 2024. We strongly recommend checking first with any business's social media channels, online presence or by phone to confirm their hours. 

Q: Is the water safe to use in the house?

A: Yes, before we welcome our guests to any of our rental properties we will have confirmed availability and quality of water is safe for use. Following the storm, local water systems were inspected, and necessary repairs have been made to address contamination concerns. If there are any updates or alerts about the water quality, we will notify you promptly.

Q: Are the roads currently accessible for a 2WD vehicle?
A: Currently, most of the main access roads to our available properties are open and accessible for 2WD vehicles. However, some secondary roads might still have limitations. For the latest road updates, we recommend checking DriveNC.gov before traveling.

Q: Is the Wi-Fi working as usual?
A: Yes, Wi-Fi is functioning in all properties that have power and internet restored. However, please be aware that there may be intermittent connectivity in some areas as final repairs are completed. If this impacts your stay, please let us know, and we'll do our best to assist.

Q: If my property has a hot tub at the property, will it be operational?
A: We understand the hot tub was a key feature for your booking, and we're checking all amenities to ensure they're fully functional before your arrival. If for any reason the hot tub is not ready, we'll inform you in advance and discuss any alternatives or solutions.

Q: Will we be able to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway, and what local attractions are open for family activities? 
A: All of of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina is currently closed due to ongoing recovery efforts, but there are many other family-friendly attractions open and ready for visitors. Tweetsie Railroad expects to open for their Tweetsie Christmas events on November 29th. Other local favorite attractions include the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, C&J Pumpkin Patch, and Mystery Hill.