News release from the Blue Ridge Parkway:
The entire North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed due to portions of the roadway that have been compromised by flooding and tree hazards. Crews continue with emergency stabilization and damage assessments following Hurricane Helene.
For safety reasons, park managers are asking the public to please be patient and respect the closures. Many areas remain unsafe due to visible and hidden hazards, such as weakened and missing portions of the roadway; standing dead and downed trees; unstable slopes; and crews and heavy equipment operating on the road. Unauthorized use also hinders recovery operations of work crews. The National Park Service is working diligently, and areas will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Due to increasing instances of visitors entering closed areas and disregarding or vandalizing safety barriers, rangers will begin enforcing closure violations and issuing citations as necessary. These actions are necessary to prevent accidents and injuries to the public and our crews.Updates are posted regularly on the parkway website and social media platforms. Updates will be posted on the Blue Ridge Parkway website at www.nps.gov/blri and on the park’s social media platforms at @BlueRidgeNPS (Facebook, X and Instagram).
Photo: Milepost 401, south of Bent Creek Gap
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