A portion of I-40 was destroyed by Helene's torrential rainfall on Sept. 28. The road is reopening, but like much of western North Carolina it's from anything resembling normal.

At long last, I-40 will reopen along the Pigeon River in Tennessee. Here's what drivers should know about as the interstate reopens after suffering damage from Hurricane Helene

It said the first crash was reported at around 4:39 p.m. Eastern Time, blocking a northbound lane of Interstate 75 in Loudon County, before the exit to Highway 321. That crash caused delays backing up almost to the Loudon Highway exit.

Interstate 40 is scheduled to open to traffic today (March 1) for the first time since Hurricane Helene swelled the Pigeon River and scoured large swaths of eastbound lanes

The section of I-40 connecting North Carolina to Tennessee was forced to close in late September when Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to the road. When the road reopens, one lane of the interstate will be open in each direction from Exit 20 to Exit 15, and again from Exit 7 to the state line and about five miles into Tennessee.

A route that takes drivers between Tennessee and North Carolina will reopen to traffic on Saturday, months after Hurricane Helene damaged the road.