<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1Xofkq_0wBXdExK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Xofkq_0wBXdExK00" width="1320" height="743" >BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, N.C. (WLOS) — The Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed in the mountains due to damage from Helene.Most are adhering to the road closure signs, but the few who refuse could face a penalty.The National Park Service says that damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway is just too severe to allow traffic of any kind on it right now. So, it remains closed in the North Carolina section.The Parkway in North Carolina is completely closed to all uses, including biking, hiking, and driving currently.Naaman Horn, aparkway information officer, says that the damage from Helene is significant.<blockquote>[There's a] bunch of trees on the road. There's some structural damage to the roadway. There are a handful of landslides that have impacted roads along with, again, a bunch of hazardous trees that are down along the road. We're still assessing. It could be a while before we fully know the extent of the damage," he said.</blockquote>He says some hazards are visible and some are not, but repair work is underway.“We have about 200 staff who are out supporting the park and working to reopen it. Chainsaw crews who are removing brush and debris and fallen trees,” Horn said.“We've gotten in such a custom of coming up here,” said Jim Williams.He and his wife have been coming up from Florida for three decades to enjoy the leaves. This year, they will enjoy the fall color along other mountain roads.Horn says some visitors are ignoring the closed road barriers and moving them.“It's not safe right now for them to be out here,” Horn said.He says it is just too dangerous for them and the work crews.For those disregarding or vandalizing safety barriers, rangers will begin enforcing closure violations and issuing citations.“It's up to their discretion whether they give a ticket or whether they don't. Our main goal is of course to keep people safe,” said Horn.Williams is in full agreement.“Then, they'll have to concentrate their clean-up time on rescuing somebody who's stranded up in the woods somewhere. It makes sense, and I just hope that they get it cleaned up eventually so the tourists and stuff can come up here,” Williams said.<blockquote>I want to say thank you to everyone out there who's listening and who's following the rules and is being patient,” said Horn.</blockquote>Updates will be posted on the Blue Ridge Parkway's webpage.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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'It could be a while': Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed due to Helene damage

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, N.C. (WLOS) — The Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed in the mountains due to damage from Helene. Most are adhering to the road closure signs, but the few who refuse could face a penalty. The National Park Service says that damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway...