Nearly 20-mile stretch of North Carolina's iconic Blue Ridge Parkway reopens for first time since Helene
The National Park Service said the stretch of roadway from milepost 285.5 at Bamboo Gap to milepost 305 near Beacon Heights in the Blowing Rock area is now the first section of the Blue Ridge Parkway to reopen in North Carolina since the historic storm.
Stretch of Blue Ridge Parkway reopens for first time after Helene
Naaman Horn, of the National Park Service, talks about the reopening of a nearly 20-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time since Hurricane Helene devastated the region.
BLOWING ROCK, N.C. – A nearly 20-mile stretch of the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway has been reopened in parts of North Carolina for the first time since the region was devastated by Hurricane Helene back in September.
The National Park Service (NPS) made the announcement on Wednesday morning and said the stretch of roadway from milepost 285.5 at Bamboo Gap to milepost 305 near Beacon Heights in the Blowing Rock area is now the first section of the Blue Ridge Parkway to reopen in North Carolina since the historic storm.
HELENE RUINS FALL LEAF-PEEPING SEASON FOR MOST OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
Inspections revealed that the Linn Cove Viaduct was undamaged by Hurricane Helene. This photo was taken by licensed pilots flying an inspection of the Viaduct.
(National Park Service)
"We realize how critical the Parkway is for our region," Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout said in a statement. "While much work remains, we are prioritizing our efforts in less-damaged areas that have the most impact for community connectivity, and that we are able to reopen safely."
Swartout said additional sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are anticipated to be reopened in adjoining communities "soon."
The opened section of the Blue Ridge Parkway now provides improved transportation links while nearby communities address the ongoing storm recovery efforts on other local roads.
National Park Service crews remove downed trees and debris in the Julian Price Lake area as part of the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
(National Park Service)
There are restrictions in place, however.
The NPS said commercial vehicles are prohibited due to the narrow, two-lane road that is filled with shifting grades, curves and limited sight differences.
There are also no truck lanes, runaway truck ramps or places for large commercial vehicles to slow down and pull over.
Commercial vehicles that violate those restrictions will be subject to a citation and a fine of up to $5,000.
The Historic Carriage House at Moses Cone at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park sustained roof damaged during Hurricane Helene.
(National Park Service)
Areas that are now opened to visitors include Bass Lakes, the Moses Cone Manor House parking and carriage trails and the Price Lake Picnic Area.
Some areas remain closed, however, including the interior of the Moses Cone Manor House and Carriage Barn restrooms, the Boone Fork Trail and the Price Park Campground.
Visitors are urged to use extra caution and remain vigilant, and closed facilities should be anticipated along the 20-mile stretch.
Watch: Aerial footage captures scope of catastrophic flooding in North Carolina
Aerial footage captured by the North Carolina National Guard provides a dramatic look at the scope of catastrophic flooding caused by the effects of Hurricane Helene when the deadly storm swept across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic after making landfall in Florida last week.
Deadly Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic destruction across the region in September and dropped about four months' worth of rain in only three days in some areas.
That led to historic flooding that completely wiped out roads in the region, including sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The iconic road was also shut down in Virginia, but a 200-mile stretch was reopened in mid-October.