Rock Slide Closes Section Of Blue Ridge Parkway

Rock Slide Closes Section Of Blue Ridge Parkway.

A rock slide closed more than 20 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville on Monday, November 2, 2020. 

Rocks and fallen trees caused by Tropical Storm Zeta closed the parkway between Mount Mitchell north to Buck Creek Gap Overlook, according to real-time closures posted on a map by the National Park Service. The rockslide, which occurred near Mt.Mitchell, is the aftermath of Zeta, a Gulf Coast storm that delivered tropical storm force winds to both South and North Carolina bringing wind gusts of more than 60 mph and depositing heavy rain in the area. Park Rangers found downed trees and debris along the parkway late last week prompting the National Park Service to begin precautions by closing a half dozen sites in the higher altitude areas of the parkway, including Mount Mitchell which is the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet. 

Although campgrounds on the parkway closed Saturday, October 31, 2020, the road remains open year-round drawing some 15 million visitors in 2019 and is listed among the 10 most visited National Parks in the nation. Officials have not said when the closed section of the parkway is expected to re-open.