Full Notification

Advisory Evacuation Shelter: At this time the only shelter in operation, in McDowell County, is the Grace Memorial YMCA, located at 348 Grace Corpening Drive.

 Advisory Blue Ridge Parkway:  Effective 8 p.m. today, Sept. 14, the entire 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway and all associated facilities, with the exception of the Pisgah Inn and Peaks of Otter Lodge, will be closed in anticipation of high winds and heavy rains due to the remnants of Hurricane Florence.

Saturated soils in combination with high winds in these areas increase the risk of rock slide and falling trees and debris, according to a news release.

This closure will remain in effect until further notice.

• Access to Pisgah Inn will be via U.S. 276 only. No access via the Parkway from the north will be available.
• Access to Peaks of Otter Lodge will be via VA-43 only.

No access to Peaks of Otter Lodge via the Parkway from the north will be available.

During this closure, all scheduled ranger programs and special events and uses are cancelled. This includes concerts at Humpback Rocks, Roanoke Mountain and Mabry Mill as well as the Overmountain Victory Celebration at the Museum of N.C. Minerals.

During the closure these sections of Parkway are closed to all use, including cyclists and pedestrians. Attempts to route around gates and barriers is prohibited. The public’s cooperation with these closures is important to the safety of our visitors and emergency responders, as well as the protection of Parkway resources, according to the news release.

Updates and information regarding the status of park facilities, including the road itself, will be available on multiple platforms, including the Parkway’s Real Time Road Map, the Parkway’s website, and its Twitter and Facebook pages. Park visitors and neighbors are encouraged to check these sites regularly for information and before heading out to the Parkway.

Advisory from US Forest Service: Due to hurricane #Florence, all forest service recreation areas in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the northern part of Tennessee are closed or scheduled for closure.