Chimney Rock closed to outside travel

CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. (WGHP) — The North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Highway Patrol are asking people to stay away from Chimney Rock until roads are rebuilt.

A week after Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, roads to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure are still closed to the public.

It was impossible to approach the area without obstructing the NCDOT as teams worked tirelessly to rebuild roads.

First Sergeant Anthony Carpenter explained why pedestrians couldn’t go through Slick Rock Road.

“I just can’t let you through. I wish I could because people need to see what’s going on down there. But as of right now, it would be more dangerous for you to be there than it would be helpful,” Carpenter said.

It is unclear when the roads will reopen to outside travel near Chimney Rock.

“There are only two ways to access it: US-64 and US-74 coming out of Gerton, and both of them are gone,” Carpenter said.

While standing at the roadblock, another truck pulled up with a volunteer inside. He was also trying to get to Chimney Rock to help.

“As long as I think people are in there hurting, I don’t think anybody should have a reason to resist us,” said Steve Shelton, a volunteer from Georgia.

The NC Highway Patrol told everyone who passed that the roads needed to remain open and available for the NCDPT to be able to rebuild without obstacles from pedestrians trying to see the damage.

They hope people will respect this until all roads to Chimney Rock are open.

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