Asheville Battles Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Asheville, N.C. – **The iconic Blue Ridge Parkway is hanging tight in the wake of Hurricane Helene**, with its entire stretch closed for the time being.** The hurricane left behind significant damage, particularly in North Carolina, prompting swift action from park crews and National Park Service (NPS) personnel who have joined forces from across the nation to assess what needs to be done.
Emergency Response Underway
Officials are reporting **catastrophic effects** that have led to tens of thousands of trees lying across the roadway. The area isn’t just littered with fallen trees; there’s also a troubling **presence of rock and mud slides**—around three dozen of them! These slides have taken place both above and below the parkway, doing serious harm to the roadbed in various spots. Fortunately, damage in Virginia looks less severe, but there’s still plenty of cleanup to undertake there as well.
“The damage left behind by the storm has created dangerous conditions, some of which are not immediately visible from the road itself,” said Tracy Swartout, superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway. **The teamwork and efforts of crews responding to this disaster are nothing short of inspiring**, yet there remains a mountain of work ahead.
Public Safety is a Priority
As teams work diligently to restore normalcy, the NPS is reminding everyone that the parkway is fully closed to all kinds of traffic—**motor vehicles, bicycles, and even pedestrians must stay away.** It might be tempting to sneak a peek at the beautiful scenery or the ongoing action, but doing so could pose real risks. Hidden dangers like unstable road structures and falling branches are very much a reality in this situation.
Sadly, some unauthorized visitors have already run into trouble. Just over the weekend, a crew was halted while they helped a person who had ventured into the closed area and got injured. “We thank the public for their cooperation in respecting closures for their safety and to allow crews to complete their work,” Swartout added, expressing the need for understanding and patience during this challenging time.
What Lies Ahead
As of now, a reopening timeline hasn’t been established in North Carolina. The NPS stated that until assessments are finalized, they won’t be able to predict how long repairs will take or how much it will cost. However, in Virginia, the situation is looking up. The NPS is close to wrapping up their assessments and plans to clear debris to facilitate a phased reopening of most of the parkway in the coming week.
Stay Updated
For anyone eager to hit the scenic roads of the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s crucial to keep an eye on the latest updates. Information will be posted on the Blue Ridge Parkway website and across their social media platforms at @BlueRidgeParkwayNPS. **The scenery is breathtaking, and we all look forward to the moment we can safely enjoy it again.** In the meantime, let’s support the hard-working crews diligently restoring access and safety.
As we all keep our fingers crossed for swift recovery, let’s remember to stay informed and respect the closures that have been put in place for our own safety. **Together, we can help the beautiful landscapes of Asheville and surrounding areas bounce back from this storm.**
