Wondering if you should travel to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg this week after the Hurricane Helene floods?
The area was largely spared of major damage. If you can get there safely, tourism officials say you are welcome with open arms.
Many sections of East Tennessee were ravaged by floods, but the flood-prone Little Pigeon River through Gatlinburg stayed within its banks.
Interstate 40 on the Tennessee-North Carolina border washed out.
Five bridges in the state are gone, and others are closed because of damage.
The roads through Sevier County, however, are intact and open.
Sevier County spokesperson Tyler Basler, who could only authoritatively speak on conditions in the county, not in individual cities such as Sevierville and Gatlinburg, said there were no major issues on county roads.
leaders earlier this week were asking visitors to reschedule trips to the park, citing safety and staffing concerns.
Some smaller roads and areas of the park were still closed as of Oct. 1, but U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road, the major road through the park, is scheduled to reopen by 8 a.m. Oct. 2.
namely east of Pittman Center and Gatlinburg (more on this below). If you like to visit Cosby when you’re in the area, please don’t. That region was hit hard and doesn’t have water, either.
Here are some more specifics on setbacks and positive things to think about when contemplating your trip.
