**Significant Damage Forces Indefinite Closure of Blue Ridge Parkway**

The Blue Ridge Parkway, a renowned route stretching over 400 miles, is currently closed with no known date for reopening, as reported by the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS has been diligently working to assess the damage resulting from Hurricane Helene. According to NPS spokesman Mike Litterst, the entire length of the parkway in North Carolina and Virginia is under inspection due to the potential hazards.

Efforts to evaluate and initiate recovery are extensive, involving Blue Ridge Parkway staff and NPS employees from 32 states along with the District of Columbia. Litterst revealed that preliminary findings point to extensive and sometimes catastrophic damage along the route, particularly between mileposts 280 and 469. These observations are based on the ongoing survey by assessment teams.

The comprehensive assessment is crucial as it will establish the scope of the damage and provide a detailed timeline and cost estimate for repairs. At this moment, no projected reopening date has been determined for any section of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, and evaluation efforts are still ongoing in Virginia.

Visual evidence shared by the NPS has shown significant issues, such as downed trees and road washouts near Gooch Gap. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the parkway's popularity; it was the most visited NPS site in 2023, attracting 16.75 million visitors.

The situation remains fluid as the NPS continues its efforts to restore one of the nation's beloved scenic routes.