Conditions described here were accurate only as of the date shown and may have changed. This is not a substitute for current official information from the agency with jurisdiction. See the full notice. Full notice.
Most of the Blue Ridge Parkway Reopens After Isaias
By 2 p.m. Monday only the Soco Gap section near the Smokies was still closed for weather. This morning's long Virginia closures have been lifted.
Update, 2 p.m. Eastern: Most of the Parkway has reopened. As of 1:59 p.m. Monday, the only weather closure left is milepost 455.7 to 469.1, from Soco Gap to U.S. 441 at the Smokies. The Virginia sections closed this morning for downed trees and rocks, including Peaks of Otter and the James River area, are listed open, as are Mount Mitchell State Park, Craggy Gardens and Beech Gap to Balsam Gap. Still closed for other reasons: the Helene section from NC 80 to Mount Mitchell (milepost 344.2 to 355.3), Roanoke Mountain Loop, and a short stretch at the James River Bridge (milepost 63.5 to 63.9) for bridge work. The Parkway's table now lists U.S. 441 through the Smokies as open but refers drivers to the Smokies for its status, and the Smokies had not posted a reopening when we checked. The original report from this morning follows.
Large sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are closed after Hurricane Isaias, according to the Parkway's road status page as of 10:08 a.m. Monday. The park notes that status can change through the day.
In Virginia, the Parkway is closed in long blocks from milepost 29.1 at VA 603 (Irish Creek Road) south to milepost 105.8 at U.S. 460, for downed trees and rocks. The closed sections include the James River Visitor Center area, Apple Orchard and Peaks of Otter, including the lodge. A stretch between Peaks Road (VA 43) and Bearwallow Gap is not listed as closed. Roanoke Mountain Loop is closed until further notice.
In North Carolina, weather closures cover Mount Mitchell State Park and milepost 355.3 to 375.7 through Craggy Gardens to Bull Gap, milepost 423.2 to 443.0 from Beech Gap to Balsam Gap, and milepost 455.7 to 469.1 from Soco Gap to U.S. 441. The section from NC 80 to Mount Mitchell, milepost 344.2 to 355.3, remains closed from Hurricane Helene, with all recreation prohibited.
U.S. 441, Newfound Gap Road through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is also still listed as closed; the Smokies closed it Friday night ahead of the storm. Check the Parkway's road closure page and its interactive map before driving, and expect more changes as crews clear trees.
Sources