The Blue Ridge Parkway will receive some of the emergency funds.
The Department of Transportation made $43 million in emergency funds available for the restoration of National Parks recovering from recent hurricane damage.
“The damage caused by Hurricane Helene’s heavy rains, strong winds, and flooding is so extensive that emergency vehicles and utility crews cannot make their way into the national forests and national parks to make essential repairs,” said Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The emergency funding we’re sending will help the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service make repairs to vital transportation networks in four impacted states where roads are currently impassable and reopen these roadways as quickly as possible.”
The funding will repair infrastructure in parks within North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, one of which is one of the most visited parks in the country. North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway is known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” and it’s estimated that visitors to the park generated $1.4 billion in revenue for its local economy in 2023.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Buttigieg and transportation officials as they support the repair and rebuilding of the highway infrastructure.
- For the president and members of his administration as they continue to respond to the devastation of the hurricanes.
- For God’s strength and comfort for the people who experienced great loss from the severe storms.
Sources: Department of Transportation
