Appalachian State's Week 5 game against Liberty has been canceled due to complications from Hurricane Helene. The game will not be rescheduled, according to a statement released by the university.
North Carolina governor Roy Cooper issued a state of emergency Wednesday warning residents about potential flooding and damaging winds before Helene made landfall.
"Helene threatens heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides, and damaging winds to the mountains and Piedmont areas of our state," Cooper said in a statement. "Now is the time for North Carolinians to prepare, make sure emergency kits are up-to-date and pay attention to the weather alerts in your area."
Parts of Boone, North Carolina, saw severe flooding as storms rolled through the area Friday morning. Millions around North Carolina are without power as well.
Appalachian State and Liberty were set to face off in one of Week 5's most under-the-radar nonconference clashes. The Flames have legitimate College Football Playoff hopes amid an undefeated start to the year, but a trip to App State's Kidd Brewer Stadium was shaping up to be their biggest test yet.
Liberty athletic director Ian McCaw told Action Network that the school is actively searching for a 12th opponent to add to its schedule. The Flames have midweek games during the month of October that could make scheduling on a Saturday tricky, though playing less than 12 games could hurt their standing in the College Football Playoff race.
It was also a prime opportunity for the Mountaineers to bounce back after an up-and-down start to the 2024 season. They're 1-2 in their last three games, including a 48-14 loss, at home, to South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference opener.