Buttigieg: Can't predict when roads will be passable after Helene

• "They're so important, not just to the people who count on them every day, but to the search and recovery and relief efforts," Buttigieg says.

State of play: Helene's wrath left at least 300 roads impassable, though that number may be a low assessment, given the reporting limitations caused by the storm.

• Parts of I-40 have reopened for evacuations, but some portions are still cut off.
• The state Department of Transportation is urging people not to drive to impacted areas, as it may disrupt the emergency response.

Yes, but: Many families anxiously await the earliest opportunity to reach trapped loved ones.

• Thousands of parents are eager to reunite with college students who did not evacuate from mountain campuses.
• "The goal, of course, is to get back to normal as quickly as possible, but the timeline has to be dictated by safety," says Buttigieg.

• DOT has a lot of work ahead to inspect infrastructure like bridges and ensure they're not compromised, explains Buttigieg.

What's next: The cost of the damage and recovery will be in the "billions and billions," Buttigieg says. He says DOT is ensuring funding is not a barrier.

• "We will be ready to turn emergency relief funding requests within hours once the state has had a chance to assess what they need," he says.
• In the medium- and long-term, Buttigieg adds, help from Congress is needed.