Flooding and Landslides Hit Eastern Tennessee, Forcing Closure of Gatlinburg Bypass
Heavy rainfall triggered flooding across parts of eastern Tennessee, resulting in the closure of the Gatlinburg Bypass on Saturday, according to the National Park Service. The nearly 4-mile closure, which loops around the city of Gatlinburg, was caused by a large landslide that occurred following heavy rainfall. Staff with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced the closure, which will remain in effect until further notice.
A Flash Flood Warning was issued for Sevier County, where National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, leading to flooding. The Sevier County Emergency Management Department also reported that multiple roads were closed throughout the county until water levels receded. Photos from the area showed first responders blocking off the roadway, which was covered in mud and other debris.
Specialized viewfinders installed in parks across Virginia are allowing guests to view the changing of leaves, despite some people’s difficulty distinguishing between hues.
Impact on Tourism and Traffic
The closure of the Gatlinburg Bypass is expected to impact traffic in the area, particularly during the busy tourism season. Late September is still considered part of the peak season in Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge, when fall foliage draws visitors. For now, traffic is being rerouted through downtown Gatlinburg, which sees around 14 million visitors annually.
Landslides are a common hazard in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding areas during heavy rain events. One year ago, the remnants of Hurricane Helene produced more than a foot of rainfall, resulting in hundreds of slides, including along Interstate 40. Sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs from Virginia to North Carolina, remain closed due to damage caused by the historic storm.
Gatlinburg Bypass shut down in eastern Tennessee due to a landslide on Saturday.
(National Park Service / FOX Weather)
Prevention and Mitigation Efforts
Emergency management officials in Tennessee said they are closely watching conditions through the weekend and into next week for additional chances of rainfall. Transportation officials are working toward a goal of restoring the entire Blue Ridge Parkway by late 2026, though the estimated completion is subject to weather delays.
As of the early weekend, no timeline had been announced for reopening the bypass, as crews worked to determine the stability of nearby terrain and if any damage was done to the roadway. For more information on the flooding and landslide in Tennessee, visit Here
Image Source: www.foxweather.com
