A 26-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina reopened Monday, marking a major milestone in the state's recovery from Hurricane Helene , nearly a year after the historically devastating storm. Asheville, North Carolina, Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and Headquarters sign. BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY REOPENS CRITICAL STRETCH JUST AHEAD OF FALL FOLIAGE SEASONThe reopening of this part of the Blue Ridge Parkway comes just in time for the peak of the fall foliage season, a major tourist attraction. Mitchell State Park in North Carolina closed for repairs in November 2024. SCHOOL DISTRICTS BOUNCING BACK FROM HURRICANE HELENE’S DEVASTATING IMPACTS IN NORTH CAROLINA