12-mile section of Blue Ridge Parkway partially reopens after Hurricane Helene storm damage

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – As of Monday, a twelve-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Beacon Heights to Linville Falls has reopened.

The parkway was closed by the National Park Service for months after a landslide and debris from Hurricane Helene.

Julia Johnson owns Big Al’s, which lies right off the section that has reopened.

“We are so psyched,” Johnson said. “Things have been crazy since the flood.”

The Parkway said at least 57 landslides impacted nearly 200 miles of the road in North Carolina.

“The fact that we can get from Point A to Point B is fabulous,” Johnson said.

Johnson said Avery County depends on tourism – and this has already helped bring in more foot traffic.

“If you don’t teach school. Work for the post office, there isn’t a lot of jobs, so hospitality keeps a lot of people here going, and it’s so great to see things up and running.”

The entrance ramp from U.S. 221 is back open to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the National Park Service said the area just south of Linville Falls will be next for repairs.

Chestina English is a gatekeeper blocking traffic to the second phase.

“We get a lot of people who really just want to come in and it’s not safe for them to be up there,” English said.

According to the National Park Service, Phase Two of the project includes repairing 21 landslide areas until Fall of 2026.

“We’ve really felt like our hands are tied but when you are able to pitch in it really makes a difference,” English said.

The park service said the remaining damage at Linville Falls spur road, the campground, picnic area and visitor center will keep those areas closed for now.

“People seem very, very happy to be able to go through and actually get on the parkway now,” English said.

Read more about the phases of reopening from the National Park Service.