Luray, Virginia: Shenandoah National Park will close at noon on Thursday, September 13 in anticipation of severe weather associated with Hurricane Florence. Meteorologists are forecasting a significant wind-rain event, particularly in Shenandoah’s higher elevations. Damaging winds combined with already saturated soil will make for hazardous conditions with trees toppling and branches falling.
Shenandoah’s backcountry will be closed to overnight camping as of Wednesday, September 12. Staff have suspended issuing permits and are contacting those with permits to advise them of the closure.
Skyline Drive will be closed to incoming traffic at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Shenandoah’s concessioner, Delaware North, will close its properties including Big Meadows and Skyland lodges and visitors will be evacuated by noon on Thursday. For more information about the concessioner’s closures, please call 877-847-1919.
Park staff are assisting with the evacuation and readying the Park’s equipment for deployment before sheltering until conditions improve.
Tags: shenandoah national park
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
