ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The entire North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed because portions of the roadway have been compromised by flooding and tree hazards.
Crews continue with emergency stabilization and damage assessments following Hurricane Helene, a news release from the National Park Service said.
For safety reasons, park managers ask the public to be patient and respect the closures.
Many areas remain unsafe because of 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.
Park Service officials said unauthorized use also hinders the recovery operations of work crews who are working diligently. 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,” the NPS statement said. “These actions are necessary to prevent accidents and injuries to the public and our crews.”
Updates will be posted on the Blue Ridge Parkway website and on the park’s social media platforms at @BlueRidgeNPS (Facebook, X and Instagram).