13 state parks closed in Western NC after Hurricane Helene. Estimated reopening timeline
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Hurricane Helene Aftermath
Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer about Hurricane Helene and the aftermath, particularly in Western North Carolina.
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After the deadly destruction of Hurricane Helene, over a dozen of North Carolina’s state parks will be shut down for several weeks.
As cleanup continues across the southeast, The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation announced that all state parks west of I-77 are closed through at least Oct. 31, 2024, along with most programs at all state parks.
The Division of Parks and Recreation is assisting with statewide emergency and rescue efforts in Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” the division announced on Oct. 2. “As a result, we are scaling back operations across the state to allow staff to continue to assist with critical deployments.”
According to the division, 13 of North Carolina’s 39 state parks and recreation areas will be closed until at least the end of the month, including:
Along with one third of North Carolina’s state parks being closed, so are several other roads around the area, including the famous Blue Ridge Parkway.
“We continue to discourage unnecessary travel in and to Western North Carolina. Limiting travel helps prioritize sending lifesaving resources and repairing vital infrastructure repairs in the communities hit hardest by Helene. Many roads continue to be closed due to unsafe conditions,” NCDPR’s website says.
If you have any reservations made for any of the state parks west of I-77, including cabins, campsites and picnic shelters, full refunds will be distributed, according to the division.
You can find more information and updates on park closures online at ncparks.gov/closures.
This story was originally published October 7, 2024 at 3:45 PM with the headline "13 state parks closed in Western NC after Hurricane Helene. Estimated reopening timeline."
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