ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) – A section of Interstate 40 near the North Carolina–Tennessee border remains closed after flash flooding and a rockslide shut down the highway Wednesday evening.

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, both directions of I-40 were closed at mile markers 450 and 451 in Cocke County, just west of the state line, after a severe thunderstorm dropped 1 to 2 inches of rain in a short period. Geotechnical engineers continue to assess the damage.

The closure affects a portion of I-40 that had already sustained damage from Tropical Storm Helene, which led to partial closures earlier this year.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has issued official detour routes for drivers traveling westbound:

  • From Asheville: Take Exit 53B for I-240 West. Continue 5 miles to Exit 4A (I-26 West). Follow I-26 West for 74 miles into Tennessee to Exit 8A. Merge onto I-81 South and continue for 57 miles to rejoin I-40 at Mile Marker 421.
  • From east of Winston-Salem: Use Exit 193B for US-52 North and continue 34 miles to Exit 140 for I-74 West. Drive 12 miles, then merge onto I-77 North. Continue into Virginia and merge onto I-81 South at Fort Chiswell. Follow I-81 South for 156 miles to reconnect with I-40 in Tennessee.
  • From the Winston-Salem to Statesville area: Use Exit 152B for I-77 North and follow it through Virginia until it merges with I-81 South at Fort Chiswell. Continue on I-81 South to Mile Marker 421 in Tennessee.

There is no estimated timeline for reopening. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and check DriveNC.gov for ongoing updates.

This story will be updated as new information becomes available.