Chimney Rock State Park Reopens After Hurricane Helene, Stein Signs $575M Aid Package

Chimney Rock State Park in North Carolina reopened to visitors after a nine-month closure caused by extensive damage from Hurricane Helene, including the loss of the park entrance bridge. Governor Josh Stein led a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, expressing optimism for the region's recovery and announcing a new tourism campaign, "Western North Carolina: Rediscover the Unforgettable," aimed at attracting visitors back to the area's hiking trails and local attractions. The reopening is supported by a $575 million bipartisan relief package signed by Stein, which allocates funds for repairing private roads and bridges, wildfire mitigation, landslide prevention, and aid for schools and local governments. Despite the reopening, reservations are required for park entry due to ongoing recovery efforts and limited capacity. Stein also called for additional support for storm-damaged small businesses and urged Congress to approve North Carolina's $11.5 billion federal aid request. The North Carolina Department of Transportation played a key role in repairing the bridge, enabling the park's access restoration.