Following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, several national and state parks in the Southeast region are advising hikers and campers to reconsider their weekend plans. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which ranked as the third most visited park last year with over 13 million visitors, has requested visitors to reschedule their trips, as stated in a recent Facebook post.
Despite the rainfall subsiding on Friday night, numerous road closures persist within the park, including popular routes such as Cades Cove Loop and sections of Newfound Gap Road. The Smokies experienced up to 9 inches of rain and witnessed historic flooding in certain areas.
In North Carolina, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation confirmed that at least 14 state parks are entirely closed due to the impact of Hurricane Helene. Additionally, a significant portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway remains inaccessible, extending into parts of Virginia. The parkway administration recently announced the closure of the entire North Carolina stretch and urged the public to refrain from using the parkway until further notice.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, renowned for its scenic beauty along the Appalachian Mountains, spans over 400 miles and traverses multiple states, including North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. The closure of this iconic route underscores the severity of the storm's impact on the region.
Meanwhile, Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky shared a photo on its official Facebook page depicting workers clearing fallen trees that obstructed the roadways. The diligent efforts of park staff aim to restore accessibility and ensure visitor safety in the wake of the natural disaster.
