Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — UPDATE (3/27): Laurel Creek Road, Cades Cove Loop Road and Cades Cove Campground are closed Wednesday for storm cleanup after high winds swept through the area Tuesday, according to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
The park said a significant number of trees came down across Laurel Creek Road, Cades Cove Loop Road and Cades Cove Campground early Tuesday. The roads and campground will be closed to the public, including walking and biking.
Crews said it could take a few days to clear trees and debris before it is safe to reopen the areas.
As of 10:30 a.m., the park announced the following road closures:
- Cades Cove Campground
- Cades Cove Loop Road
- Laurel Creek Road
- Greenbrier Road at the ranger station
- Upper Tremont Road
- Cherokee Orchard Road at the park boundary
- Foothills Parkway West between Look Rock and US 129
Some buildings and vehicles sustained damage during the event. There were no injuries reported.
Smokies Life, formerly known as the Great Smoky Mountains Association, operates a gift shop in Cades Cove. Laurel Rematore, the CEO of Smokies Life, said the store is not open because of the Cades Cove Loop Road closure.
"We're actually right in the middle of the six weeks of spring breaks that are happening in the southeast region," said Rematore. "And so we see a big influx of visitors. So it's not just the gateway community. Spring breakers, we have them coming from all over the Southeast."
Rematore said because of the location, there is a risk of the shop closing in inclement weather.
"There's lots of trees, and there's a river going through there," said Rematore. "And so when we have severe weather events, oftentimes access in the Cades Cove area is limited."
Rematore says the National Park Service does a good job of letting them know when the roads will be open so employees can return to work. However, at this time, she said they haven't been informed yet.
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ORIGINAL STORY
Park officials said most roadways in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are closed after high winds swept through the area overnight.
Trees are down across roads and trails in the park. Crews are assessing conditions, clearing trees and will open roads when it's safe, according to the GSMNP.
The park said as of noon, these road closures are in place:
- Gatlinburg Bypass
- Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg and Cherokee, NC
- Little River Road
- Laurel Creek Road
- Cherokee Orchard Road at the park boundary
- Greenbrier Road at the ranger station
- Tremont Road
- The new section of the Foothills Parkway
- Foothills Parkway between Look Rock and US 129
- Wears Gap Road
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory and high wind warning until 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Peak wind gusts in Sevier County hit 85 mph between 2 and 3 a.m., according to the GSMNP.
Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers are open. Park visitors are encouraged to stop by a visitor center for updates on current conditions, the GSMNP said.