It comes right as the region – and road – typically sees a boom in usage as weather cools and the leaves change colors.

Damage caused by Helene has led to the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina to close, with no date available for reopening parts of the iconic road.

Parks officials say scaling back operations across the state will allow staff to assist with critical deployments. In addition, the closure of western parks can help limit travel in the area while roads and other infrastructure are repaired.

Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America's most popular national parks, is closed in North Carolina. Here's what you need to know.