Tropical Storm Helene has blown away, but units of the National Park System are struggling to recover in her wake. All of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina remained closed Sunday, many roads in Great Smoky Mountains National Park were closed, and Congaree National Park in South Carolina was closed due to loss of power and functioning water systems.
Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina also was closed Sunday, according to its social media channels, as were Cowpens National Battlefield in South Carolina, parts of Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, Ninety Six National Historic Site, Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia, Fort Frederica National Monument in Georiga, Fort Pulaski Nationalk Monument in Georgia, De Soto National Memorial in Florida, and the Kingsley Plantation at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve in Florida.
“The full length of the [Blue Ridge] parkway in North Carolina is closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Closures will remain in place until staff can safely assess the park and clear any storm damage,” read a notice on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s website.Â
At Great Smoky Mountains National Park, staff said “Balsam, Cataloochee, Roaring Fork, and Greenbrier areas [are] closed. US 441, Foothills Pkwy East, Rich Mtn Road, Lakeview Drive closed. Visitors encouraged to reschedule trips for their own safety.”
In Florida, De Soto National Memorial was hit hard by the storm’s surging waters.
“The park suffered 5 to 6 feet of storm surge that flooded the trails, and park buildings,” a statement on the park’s Facebook page said. “The storm destroyed the majority of park trails and took down several trees. The visitor center had several inches of standing water and is without power. The park does not have any functioning public restrooms and water fountains.
“…De Soto National Memorial’s recovery will be extensive,”
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