Great Smoky Mountains National Park closes many roads after 85 mph wind gusts down trees

Ryley Ober, Asheville Citizen Times
·1 min read

ASHEVILLE - Most roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are closed March 26 after high winds overnight downed trees across roads and trails.

A total of 10 roads are closed as of noon — including U.S. 441, the main road connecting Cherokee in North Carolina to Gatlinburg, Tennessee — after wind gusts peaked at 85 mph in the Great Smokies between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. March 26, according to a news release from the park.

Fallen trees cover a road in Cades Cove campground after a high wind event downed trees and closed roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park March 26.
Fallen trees cover a road in Cades Cove campground after a high wind event downed trees and closed roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park March 26.

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"Crews are assessing conditions, clearing trees and will open roads when it is safe to do so," the release said.

Closed roads include the following:

  • Gatlinburg Bypass.

  • Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) between Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee.

  • Little River Road.

  • Laurel Creek Road.

  • Cherokee Orchard Road at the park boundary.

  • Greenbrier Road at the ranger station.

  • Tremont Road.

  • Foothills Parkway new section.

  • Foothills Parkway between Look Rock and U.S. 129.

  • Wears Gap Road.

A National Weather Service wind advisory and high wind warning remained in effect until 2 p.m. March 26, according to the release.

A tree crosses over Laurel Creek Road after a high wind event overnight closed most roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park March 26.
A tree crosses over Laurel Creek Road after a high wind event overnight closed most roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park March 26.

Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers remain open. The park encourages visitors to stop at a visitor center for updates on current conditions if they plan to visit the park today.

Closure updates will be posted on the park’s website and social media.

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Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Many roads closed March 26 in Great Smoky Mountains for downed trees