A popular state park is coping with the collapse of a retaining wall and portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway are closed after a deluge of heavy rainfall swept through western North Carolina on Monday, October 23.
A retaining wall at Chimney Rock State Park, located about 25 miles southeast of Asheville in Rutherford County, collapsed after the area received 3.5 to 5 inches of rainfall over the span of several hours.
According to the Asheville Citizen Times, crews are actively working to clear the debris, and the park will be closed until further notice.
The Rumbling Bald Access, popular with climbers, hikers and mountain bikers, was not affected and will remain open.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is also closed, from mile marker 402.7 south of the N.C. 191/Brevard Road entrance to Milepost 408.4, due to a substantial washout near the Little Pisgah Ridge Tunnel at milemarker 407.
Motorists, cyclist, and hikers are all being asked to avoid this area while park engineers assess the damage and monitor the site for additional damages.
The Pisgah Inn and nearby campground remain open but are only accessible via 276.
Multiple western North Carolina towns, including Boone and Asheville, experienced significant flooding as well.
For updates regarding closures of the Blue Ridge Parkway, check out this real-time road map, and stay up to date with the status of Chimney Rock State Park by following them on Facebook.
