As U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road reopens in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina's state parks continue to recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene. While many high-use areas and trails in the Smokies are now accessible, visitors are urged to exercise caution due to remaining hazards. Brian Strong, Director of North Carolina State Parks, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to provide an update on the current status of the parks, recovery efforts, and what visitors should know before heading out to explore the trails.