Blue Ridge Parkway has been closed indefinitely due to storm damage!

[dpetrick]

A heads up to anyone planning on riding the Blue Ridge Parkway in the near future, the park service has closed the entire parkway indefinitely because of storm damage.
https://www.wric.com/news/blue-ridge-parkway-to-be-closed-indefinitely-national-park-service-says/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFsGPVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVpvsOhqrwfRCwaM0iY08m6FjQXutb6sfBWPoH2vu9TTuUnHv-pGa8KGhQ_aem_kmXrtGM3adRYYwtCQeIdoQ.

 

[racoon]

The National Park Service page about the Blue Ridge Parkway:

https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/hurricane-helene.htm

Part of the information:

As of Tuesday afternoon, 99 National Park Service employees from 22 states and the District of Columbia are working with Blue Ridge Parkway staff in the recovery efforts. There is no date for reopening any parts of the road.

 

[blacklightning]

Yes, it is really bad down here. The thing that will make it so ruff is that normally when there is a landslide or collapse along the BRP, they are able to detour you around that particular area. But this time, the side roads are in just as bad a shape, or possibly even worse. The best that we can even hope for will probably be partial openings in certain areas next fall. The pity is that this is peak season for some of the local businesses to make funds. There is so much loss with the residents, and now on top of that so many of them will be losing income. This is partially due to reports of people being told to stay away from all areas. Some of those places (such as Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Bryson City, etc.) got damage, but are back up and running. But due to people not coming, businesses will lose revenue and there will be job cutbacks. Continue to pray for that area and send help in whatever way you can. We will be there in 12 days. Our plan is to bring as many needed supplies as we can, and to patronize as many businesses as we can while staying out of the workers way. We also plan on using one day to just volunteer wherever we can find the need.

 

[tntnj]

WOW! I wish I was still not working (retired). I would love to go down and do what I can. Blacklighting, when you go down there, let us know the best way to help and where. And thank you for helping out there.

Just a side note: my wife was in Asheville with friends during that storm, so I know what it was like first-hand (she is back safe and sound).