Helene Road Construction PhasesAs a result of Hurricane Helene, the Parkway identified at least 57 landslides of varying complexity across nearly 200 miles in North Carolina. Work to restore road access, repair road damage, and stabilize slide areas began in the fall of 2024, and is planned in three phases, as outlined below and also reflected on the map above:
Storm Damage - Project Information Stay informed with updates, timelines, and behind-the-scenes photos of road repair projects to rebuild and restore sections of the Parkway impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Location: Milepost 224.9
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes restoring paved waterways, repairing drainage trenches, and reconstructing pavement. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Summer 2025
Location: Milepost 254.9
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall to restore and strengthen the failed slope and backfill additional areas washed out by the slide. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design, Planning, and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026 Location: Milepost 274.9
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall to restore and strengthen the failed slope and backfill additional areas washed out by the slide. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design, Planning, and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026 Location: Milepost 284 (Repairs at 3 sites)  Heavy equipment excavates dirt on the slope to repair damage caused by Hurricane Helene at MP 284. _070825.JPG) A fabric barrier sits on top of the recently reconstructed slope at milepost 284 to help with eriosion control. A NPS vehicle sits on the unpaved motor road to the right of the slope. Location: Milepost 306.8
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing material to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes installing a rock buttress, reconstructing paved waterways, repairing drainage trenches and pavement reconstruction. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Completed Repair Timeline: Summer 2025  Damage to the slope and guardrail at milepost 306.8 from Hurricane Helene. _050825.JPG){kind=tracking} Stone being compacted to one of the layers of the reinforced soil slope construction at MP 306.8. _050825.JPG) A layer of stone covers the road base with black polymer cylinders protruding from the roadbed where a guardrail will be installed. _070125.JPG) Slope and guardrail repair construction completed at MP 306.8. Location: Milepost 313
Overview: Repairs will involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design, Planning, and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026  Damage to the upper slope and trees caused by Hurricane Helene at MP 313. Location: Milepost 316 to 325 (Multiple Locations)
Overview: This work will involve slope, road, and infrastructure repairs at four sites between milepost 316 and 325. These projects are currently in the planning phase and specific work is still being determined. Funding Source: Supplemental Disaster Funding Status: Phase 3 - Assessment and Planning Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026  Concrete and metal exposed with dirt washed away along and under the roadbed from Hurricane Helene at MP 325.9.  The slope sluffing away from the road edge at MP 325.9  The slope sluffing away exposing the guardrails posts along the edge of the motor road at MP 320. Location: Milepost 317 - Linville Falls
Overview: Park facilities near Linville Falls experienced a great deal of destruction from the storm, including the visitor center, picnic area, comfort station, and portions of the campground and spur road. Future plans for this site are still being evaluated. Funding Source: Supplemental Disaster Funding Status: Phase 3: - Assessment and Planning Stage Repair Timeline: TBD  Total destruction of the Linville Falls Visitor Center at MP 317 caused by Hurricane Helene.  Destoryed comfort station at Linville Falls with sections of the building scattered across the ground.  The footbridge crossing over the Linville River near the visitor center with safety rails missing and debris on and around the bridge from Hurricane Helene.  Broken pieces of asphalt and sections of the Linville Falls Spur Road that were washed away during Hurricane Helene. Location: Milepost 318 (Repairs at 2 Sites)
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Fall 2026  Two NPS employees stand at the top of the slope along the motor road where the slope and part of the road washed away at MP 318.5.  Sections of the motor road and a steep portion of slope washed away by Hurricane Helene at MP 318. Location: Milepost 319 (Repairs at 7 Sites)
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes guardrail replacement and culvert cleaning. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026  Large section of the roadway and guardrail washed away by Hurricane Helene at MP 319.  Debris, rock, and portions of the road washed away by Hurricane Helene at MP 319.  Slope damage at MP 319.  Construction underway to repair Hurricane Helene damage at MP 319. Location: Milepost 320
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes guardrail replacement and culvert cleaning. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026  Part of the slope washed away at MP 320.3 exposing guardrail posts.  Slope damage caused by Hurricane Helene at MP 320.3. Location: Milepost 321
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design, Planning and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026 Location: Milepost 322
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a rock buttress and installing topsoil and turf. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026  An aerial view of a slide at the base of the masonry headwall at MP 322 with exposed rock showing.  A slide at the base of a masonry headwall at MP 322 with exposed rock showing. Location: Milepost 323 (Repairs at 2 sites)
Overview: Repairs at two sites involve rebuilding a stone masonary wall, verifying the integrity of soil anchors, installing a celluar confinement and erosion control system, replacing top soil and turf, and removing debris. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design, Planning, and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026  Slope damage at MP 323 exposing large ground anchors. Location: Milepost 336 to 345 (Multiple Locations)
Overview: This work will involve slope, road, and infrastructure repairs at twelve sites between milepost 336 and 345. These projects are currently in the planning phase and specific work is still being determined. Funding Source: Supplemental Disaster Funding Status: Phase 3 - Assessment and Planning Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026  Road and slope damage caused by Hurricane Helene at MP 336.  Road and slope damage at MP 342.  NPS crews survey slope damage at MP 343.  Roadway and slope damage caused by Hurricane Helene at MP 345. Location: Milepost 342 and 343 (Repairs at 3 Sites)
Overview: Repairs include temporary stabilization and safety measures for 3 slides, including installation of geomembrane with sandbags and shot rock, placement of safety barriers, guardrail repairs, debris removal, and repair and reconditioning of drainage trenches. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Summer 2025 (Temporary Stabilization Only - Permanent repairs will occur in Phase 3)  Temporary stabilization at MP 343.  A geotextile fabric is applied to the slope at MP 343 to repair damage from a landslide. Location: Milepost 344.4, 344.6, and 345.6
Overview: Repairs at three sites involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes culvert replacement, resetting stone masonry headwalls, and road patching. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026  Large section of asphalt, trees, and other debris washed down damaged slope at MP 345. Roadway damage at MP 345. Location: Milepost 346 to 351 (Multiple Locations)
Overview: This work will involve slope, road, and infrastructure repairs at nine sites between milepost 346 and 351. These projects are currently in the planning phase and specific work is still being determined. Funding Source: Supplemental Disaster Funding Status: Phase 3 - Assessment and Planning Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026  Exposed outer layers of rock breaking off the slope along the Parkway at MP 346.  Exposed rock on the slope at MP 347 following Hurricane Helene.  Slide above road level at MP 348 with debris covering motor road and damage continuing down slope.  The underside of the motor road damaged by Hurricane Helene at MP 351. Location: Milepost 356 / 369 / 374
Overview: Repairs at three sites involve reinforcing the slope, slope clean-up and repair, shoulder repair, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1: Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Fall 2025  Landslide above the Parkway at MP 356 washed away trees and debris and guardrail.  Slide above the Parkway at MP 356.  Slide and debris caused by Hurricane Helene at MP 369.  Debris at MP 374.5. Location: Milepost 375
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes culvert repairs, drainage trench reconditioning, guardrail replacement, pavement reconstruction, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Fall 2025  Slope and guardrail damage at MP 375.  An excavator begins to remove asphalt from the motor road at MP 375 as work begins to repair a slide caused by Hurricane Helene.  An excavator scoops dirt from a slide site while a crawler dumper collects dirt to be hauled away on a project to stabilize and rebuild the slope at MP 375. Location: Milepost 380.5
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes drainage trench and paved waterway repair and reconditioning, pavement reconstruction, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Fall 2025  Excavators work to remove dirt along the slope at MP 380 to repair damage caused by Hurricane Helene.  Workers using equipment apply a geotextile to the base of an excavated slope as part of the reinforced soil slope process at MP 380.  The final stages of the reinforced soil slope process and guardrail repair at MP 380. _062725.JPG) A newly constructed guardrail sits atop the rebuilt slope at MP 380 with vegetation beginning to pop up through the erosion control barrier. Location: Milepost 401
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes culvert repairs, drainage trench and paved waterway repair/reconditioning, guardrail replacement, headwall reconstruction, pavement reconstruction, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Summer 2025  Damage to the motor road and slope at MP 401.5 caused by Hurricane Helene.  Heavy equipment excavates dirt at MP 401.5 as work begins to rebuild slope.  Heavy equipment applies stone to one of the reinforced soil slope baskets to reconstruct the slope.  Heavy equipment applies stone to one of the reinforced soil slope baskets to reconstruct the slope.  Newly constructed slope to the right with drainage structure repairs happening using heavy machinery. Location: Milepost 421
Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes drainage trench repair/reconditioning, guardrail replacement, pavement reconstruction, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Summer 2025  Part of the slope washed away and damage to the motor road at MP 421 caused by Hurricane Helene.  Heavy equipment begins to excavate soil at MP 421.  An excavator moves soil on a steep slope at MP 421. _062625.JPG) Several layers of completed baskets from the reinforced soil slope process at MP 421. 
Road Conditions and Road Status
Winds and rain from Hurricane Helene downed many trees along the Blue Ridge Parkway, requiring a substantial clean up effort 
Maps - Blue Ridge Parkway
It is important to know if the parkway is open before you visit. 
Helene Impacts and Recovery
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida and then stormed across multiples states in the Southeast. |
Large excavating equipment on hillside moving dirt to begin the process of building back the slope to repair slide damage caused by Hurricane Helene at MP 224.9.
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Asphalt being laid with heavy equipment and workers at milepost 224.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway with newly completed slope repair in the foreground as part of the work to repair Hurricane Helene damage. 
Last updated: August 14, 2025