ASHEVILLE - The Blue Ridge Parkway, a cherished national treasure, remains closed indefinitely following the havoc wreaked by Tropical Storm Helene that hit Western North Carolina on September 27. The storm unleashed record-breaking rainfall and intense winds across the mountainous area, causing severe flooding that devastated entire towns. As of October 4, the death toll in the region reached 115, with Buncombe County alone reporting 72 fatalities.

Park officials have closed the entire 469-mile length of the parkway, which stretches through North Carolina and Virginia. Specialized crews from the Eastern Incident Management Team are currently assessing the extensive damage. The team is equipped to provide support for emergency employee needs, stabilize affected park resources, and conduct damage assessments, according to National Park Service (NPS) spokesperson Mike Litterst.

The initial closure of the parkway took effect on October 26. As of October 3, approximately 250 NPS employees from 32 states and Washington D.C. are assisting in the recovery efforts alongside the parkway staff. "The National Park Service assessment teams are still completing their initial inspections of the parkway, acquiring the data they will need to analyze the full impact of Tropical Storm Helene. Significant, and in some cases catastrophic, damage has occurred along the parkway," Litterst stated.

Particularly severe damage was observed from Milepost 280 near Boone to Milepost 469, which is the parkway’s terminus at Cherokee and the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This section of the parkway passes through Asheville and Buncombe County, making the devastation even more impactful for the local communities.

The assessment teams are meticulously gathering data to understand the full scope of the damage and to determine the timeline and cost estimates for the necessary repairs. However, no projected reopening date for any section of the parkway in North Carolina has been established yet, as assessment crews are still finishing their work in Virginia.

October is usually a peak time for visitors who flock to the parkway to witness the stunning fall foliage, providing a significant economic boost to the local economy. In 2023, the parkway attracted 16.7 million visitors, with around 2 million people visiting during the peak months of July and October, contributing $1.4 billion to the region according to NPS data. However, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper has advised tourists to avoid Western North Carolina this year due to the extensive damage caused by the storm.