Powerful Winds Close Roads into the Tennessee Side of the Smokies
A powerful low pressure system pushed through East Tennessee and the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains last night with hurricane strength winds and has closed roads into the National Park during its peak season. The Little River Road between Towsend and Gatlinburg, the Newfound Gap Road and the Laurel Creek Road into Cades Cove all remain closed this evening.
Although the Park Service expects to have the roads into the Park re-opened tomorrow, they are urging campers to vacate the Smoky Mountains, saying emergency services may not be able to reach campers in need.
Two campers in the Cades Cove Campground were taken to a nearby hospital after a tree fell onto their camper. Both have been treated and released. Cades Cove will remain closed through tomorrow and possibly longer.
Nearly 8,000 homes were without power last night and early this morning, however officials say that 3,100 homes remain without power. Park officials are also watching rising waters, which may cover some roads.
Although the Park Service expects to have the roads into the Park re-opened tomorrow, they are urging campers to vacate the Smoky Mountains, saying emergency services may not be able to reach campers in need.
Two campers in the Cades Cove Campground were taken to a nearby hospital after a tree fell onto their camper. Both have been treated and released. Cades Cove will remain closed through tomorrow and possibly longer.
Nearly 8,000 homes were without power last night and early this morning, however officials say that 3,100 homes remain without power. Park officials are also watching rising waters, which may cover some roads.
posted by Smoky Mountain Blogger | 10/17/2006 03:13:00 PM
2 Comments:
I have relatives that were camping in Cades Cove and I am unable to contact them.
Can you tell me how I may reach the National Park Headquarters or local emergency services?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I would begin by calling the park communications office at 865-436-1230. The names of people with emergency messages waiting for them are posted at visitor centers and campers and visitors are encouraged to check them during emergencies.
I will post the local hospitals, however the only injuries reported have been treated and released at a nearby hospital. One of those was a 6 year old boy.
Ft. Sanders-Sevier Medical Center, 865-453-7111; Blount Memorial Hospital, 865-983-7211; and also at Swain County Hospital, 828-488-2155, in Bryson City, North Carolina.
Glad to help and I wish your family the best!
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