As the National Park Service (NPS) advances recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, VHB has started work at Linville Falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway, helping evaluate solutions that will restore damaged facilities and strengthen the site's resilience against future storms. The project, which recently kicked off, responds to the severe flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage that disrupted the visitor experience and threatened critical facilities at one of the Parkway's most visited destinations.
Linville Falls was among the hardest-hit locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway when Hurricane Helene brought historic rainfall to western North Carolina in 2024. The storm inundated the visitor center with more than 12 feet of water, triggered landslides, and damaged trails, campgrounds, overlooks, and other infrastructure throughout the recreation area. As recovery efforts continue, NPS faces an important challenge: restoring access to this beloved destination while preparing it for the realities of future storms.
"We're working together with NPS to pinpoint exactly what's standing in the way of a full recovery, from slope instability, active flood zones, to limited access," said Tim Hogan, VHB National Park Service Nationwide Program Manager. "From there, our focus shifts to solving those obstacles in ways that prioritize long-term resilience and reduce ongoing challenges for Linville Falls."
Through collaboration with geotechnical specialists and park stakeholders, VHB is helping identify alternatives that balance visitor needs, environmental stewardship, operational goals, and long-term recovery objectives. The effort reflects a broader disaster recovery approach focused on rebuilding infrastructure in ways that can better withstand future events while respecting the character and natural resources that make national parks unique.
VHB's experience helping federal agencies and communities recover after major disasters, including Hurricanes Sandy, Isabel, Irma, Ivan, and Irene, informs this work. It also reflects the firm's ongoing support of national parks and public lands, including projects along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Together, these experiences position VHB to support both the immediate recovery and long-term stewardship of one of the region's most cherished outdoor destinations.
Learn more about VHB's federal government work and connect with Tim Hogan to discuss our approach to disaster recovery and resilience planning.
