Storm Warnings and Road Closures as East Tennessee Faces Severe Weather Conditions

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A Stormy Wednesday in East Tennessee

Today in Knoxville, folks are bracing for a bit of a wild ride as multiple rounds of storms roll through East Tennessee. Who doesn’t love a good thunderstorm? Well, maybe not when it comes with heavy rain and gusty winds! It’s shaping up to be quite an eventful day with families urged to stay safe, especially when it comes to those tempting puddles on the roads.

Weather Cautions to Remember

As the clouds darken and thunder starts to rumble, it’s important for everyone to remember some key safety tips. Never drive through puddles; it’s just not worth the risk. We can’t always tell how deep those water-filled surprises are, which could lead to serious damage to vehicles and put people in vulnerable situations. And let’s remind all the little ones too, when you hear that loud clap of thunder — it’s definitely time to head indoors!

Road Closures and Flooding in Pigeon Forge

The Sevier County Emergency Management Agency is doing its best to keep people informed. They reported that several roads in the Pigeon Forge area have been closed due to flooding, which is not what anyone wants to deal with on a Wednesday. Key closures include Waldens Creek at Goose Gap and Old Valley Road, where water has taken over. Other roads affected are River Divide Road, which is closed at the gates, and both Lonesome Pine Way and Little Cove Road are also off-limits because of a fallen tree on a power line. As if that weren’t enough, traffic on 1859 Little Cove Road has been reduced to one lane, while Wears Valley is completely shut down.

The list of closures doesn’t stop there! SCEMA recently updated their roster, and it’s clear to see that residents need to stay alert. Roads like New Era Road and 2866 Indigo Lane are both closed due to downed trees, making it a tricky day for drivers in the area. And let’s not forget about Legacy Vista Drive and Peach Orchard Drive, which are both closed because the road didn’t hold up against the torrential downpour.

Dollywood’s Weather Closure

Dollywood, our beloved local theme park, has decided to close its doors early today at 4 p.m. EDT. With storms on the horizon, they want to ensure the safety of all their guests — which is always the right call! Dollywood announced they would keep a close eye on the weather and inform the public about any further schedule changes. It seems like it might be a cozy night at home for many families who were planning to visit!

Impact on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Everyone loves visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, but visitors should prepare for some closures and event cancellations starting Wednesday night due to the potential impacts of Hurricane Helene. The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy rain for the rest of the week, along with high winds. The park warns that we could see 3-5 inches of rain today and even more as the storm unfolds, plus gusts that could reach up to 70 miles per hour!

In light of the conditions, Rich Mountain Road and Balsam Mountain Road from the Heintooga Picnic area to the park boundary will close at sunset tonight. Heintooga Ridge Road will also be shuttered on Thursday. Sadly, the Mountain Life Festival has been canceled, but the park staff plans to host harvest-related cultural demonstrations on October 19, so there’s something to look forward to!

Local Roads Getting Impassable

The Tusculum Police Department jumped in with updates of their own, reporting several local road closures that are quickly becoming impassable. College Hill and Twin Oaks roads are being monitored closely, as heavy rains are creating hazardous conditions. This is a good reminder to all — if a road looks deep, it probably is! And don’t forget, turn around if you encounter flooding!

Cherokee National Forest Campground Closures

And if you were thinking about heading to the great outdoors for some camping, you may need to reconsider. The U.S. Forest Service has announced that all campgrounds and recreation sites in Cherokee National Forest will close starting Thursday at 8 a.m. until Hurricane Helene passes. Existing reservations will automatically be canceled with full refunds issued. Better safe than sorry!

As the storms continue to move through East Tennessee today, let’s keep our fingers crossed that the rain eases up soon. Stay safe out there, everyone, and keep an eye on those weather alerts!