photo #7960517

Good News & Bad News re: the Blue Ridge Parkway via National Park Service. GOOD: Around 75% of the 469-mile scenic route will open by Spring from Grandfather Mountain to Blowing Rock BAD: The worst damage Helene caused to the BRP spans from Linville Falls south to Mount Mitchell. Facilities at Linville Falls (including the visitor center, picnic area comfort station, and portions of the campground) were destroyed, and staff have documented over 48 landslides and other storm-related damage in those 38 miles. Long story short, there will be sections of the Parkway closed between Linville and Asheville for ALL of 2025. The photo below is a mere sampling of the damage caused by Helene. 😭