Most of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, WNC is closed due to Hurricane Helene

ASHEVILLE – The National Park Service will close most of the Blue Ridge Parkway the afternoon of Sept. 25 to prepare for a “precursor” rain event ahead of Hurricane Helene.

The NPS said in a Sept. 25 news release that it is closely monitoring the hurricane’s projected path and is preparing for a range of possible impacts on the parkway, which runs 469 miles from Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains directly through Asheville National Park .

According to the National Weather Service, as of 3:30 p.m. September 25th, heavy rain is expected to begin in Asheville this evening, with 2 to 3 inches of rain possible, and continue through Friday, September 27th.

Possible thunderstorms could produce heavy rain Thursday evening with winds of 10 to 20 mph and gusts of up to 48 mph, according to the weather service, with another 1 to 2 inches of rain possible.

Earlier in the day, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter commented on the potential impacts for the Southeast in a press release, saying, among other things:

“This area may experience 20 to 30 cm of rain, with the heaviest rainfall occurring within a few hours, when the rainfall rate can exceed 5 cm per hour, sufficient to cause significant and life-threatening flooding. The risk is greatest in the steep terrain of the southern Appalachians, where mudslides and rockfalls can occur if damage to infrastructure such as bridges and roads occurs.

Based on expected heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds, as well as the forecast path of the storm over the next few days, park trails will be closed in the following locations:

The so-called “Asheville Commuter Zone” remains open for the time being. This is the section between Ox Creek Road at MP 375, north of Asheville, and MP 393, south of town near the entrance to the North Carolina Arboretum.

These severe weather closures are a complete closure of all public use. Closures are expected to remain in place until the storm has passed and staff can safely assess the park and clean up any storm damage. According to the NPS statement, the park will issue updates as they become available.

The following effects on the system are therefore planned:

• Linville Falls Campground on MP 316.4 and Pisgah Campground on MP 408.8 will be closed as of Thursday morning, September 26th. Reservation holders will be notified.

• The Pisgah Inn remains accessible via both NC 151 and US 276, offering visitors two exit routes in opposite directions.

• The Linville Falls Visitor Center on MP 316, the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center on MP 364 and the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center on MP 451.2 are closed.

If conditions permit and the road remains open, park visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution and be aware of the risk of rock falls and fallen trees. Because of the narrow roadsides, steep grades, and numerous curves, driving on the Parkway requires special caution. Park visitors must exercise caution, adhere to posted speed limits, and be prepared to stop or turn around at closed gates or road debris during this storm event.

Updates and information on the status of park facilities, including the road itself, will be available on the parkway’s website XInstagram and Facebook pages.

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This article originally appeared in the Asheville Citizen Times: Blue Ridge Parkway closes before Helene in Asheville, WNC