Hurricane Helene causes extensive damage to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hurricane Helene has severely impacted the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, causing extensive damage and closing many roads and trails. The park, which attracted 13.3 million visitors last year, is facing significant losses in tourism revenue. In the surrounding region, at least 40 lives were lost, and many residents remain without essential services. President Biden plans to visit the area to assess the damage, while local officials encourage visitors to maintain their travel plans. Recovery efforts are underway, but rebuilding will be costly and time-consuming. The National Park Service is working to evaluate the damage, with many areas still inaccessible.