The Nationwide Park Service (NPS) introduced that the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 0 to 198 in Virginia reopens at this time. After initially closing as a consequence of impacts from Hurricane Helene, the reopened part returns entry to a number of scenic overlooks and different customer favorites resembling Peaks of Otter, Roanoke County’s Discover Park, Rocky Knob, and Mabry Mill.
“We’re extraordinarily grateful that a lot of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia has reopened to the general public following Hurricane Helene,” Landon Howard, president of Go to Virginia’s Blue Ridge, said in a press launch. “Virginia’s Blue Ridge area (the Cities of Roanoke & Salem and the Counties of Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke) was lucky to have sustained minimal injury in the course of the storm and our hearts exit to our neighbors who’re nonetheless cleansing up from Helene.”
NPS studies that the Humpback Rocks, James River, and Peaks of Otter customer facilities have additionally reopened at this time following the restoration of water and energy. Whereas path assessments are ongoing, officers advise hikers to train warning till all areas are absolutely evaluated. The NPS goals to reopen the rest of Virginia’s part of the parkway throughout the subsequent two weeks.
“Because of the laborious work of the Blue Ridge Parkway crews, we’re capable of open practically 200 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, a significant and scenic route that each embodies the pure magnificence and cultural heritage of our area and performs a significant position within the native economic system by means of tourism and group engagement,” Tracy Swartout, superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, said in a press launch. “Whereas we have a good time this achievement, we additionally acknowledge that important and, in some areas, long-term work stays in North Carolina. We’re dedicated to restoring all sections of the parkway to the very best requirements of security and accessibility for our guests.”
All the portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina stays closed as crews are nonetheless conducting emergency stabilization and injury evaluation. Updates from the NPS could be discovered at https://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm.
Cowl picture: Blue Ridge Parkway close to Fall Peaks Roanoke. Photograph by Star Metropolis Skycams/courtesy of Go to VBR
