Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed numerous park facilities and roads on Thursday, May 4 due to a significant wind event and multiple downed trees. Winds have been recorded as high as 98 mph with sustained winds of 50 mph. Sugarlands Visitor Center, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and the Cades Cove area have been closed. The following roads are closed:
- Newfound Gap Road
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
- Cherokee Orchard Road
- Clingmans Dome Road
- Little River Road
- Cades Cove Loop Road
- Laurel Creek Road
- Rich Mountain Road
- Greenbrier Entrance Road
- Cherokee Orchard Road
- Gatlinburg Bypass
- Foothills Parkway West
- Foothills Parkway East
- Cosby Entrance Road
No injuries have been reported and crews are currently working to clear roadways to provide emergency access. For more information about road conditions, please follow at SmokiesRoadsNPS or visit the park website at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm.
– NPS
