GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Two access areas along the Nolichucky River in Greene County have reopened to the public after they were damaged by Hurricane Helene.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announced on Tuesday that the Poplar Springs Access Area and the Joe Johnson Access Area at Bird’s Bridge are once again open to the public.
Both access areas were “severely damaged” when the river flooded, according to a news release from the TWRA.
In the days immediately after Helene, TWRA engineering crews worked to make the access areas suitable for emergency personnel to use. As of Tuesday, the repairs were completed to allow the public to also use them.
While the access areas are open, the TWRA urged anyone boating or fishing in Helene-effected waters to keep an eye out for debris and changes to the river’s condition. Anyone near the water should also have a personal flotation device on at all times.
According to the TWRA, the Rankin Access Area on the French Broad River was also damaged by the hurricane. It will likely remain closed until spring 2025.