Dolly Parton 's iconic amusement park, Dollywood , is experiencing extreme flooding that shut down surrounding streets.
On Sunday, a flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service for Sevier County, Tennesee , where the park is located, from 5:39pm and is expected to last until 9:45pm. Parts of Veterans Boulevard were shut down due to the flooding.
Videos from people at Dollywood were uploaded online, with one showing a few picnic tables and umbrellas as the rain poured down. People were seen, seemingly caught off guard by the rainfall without umbrellas, as they trudged through the ankle-deep waters that later became waist-deep.
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Another video showed a gift shop flooded as its doors were open. Parkgoers struggled to exit as cars were reported by witnesses to be submerged.
One of those at the park took to Twitter, now known as X, to share their experience. "We just made it out of the parking lot. They cut the fencing at the front to make a shortcut. Luckily we had parked in lot B away from the low side, so we made it out but there were several cars that were submerged about 3/4 up. The first responders are doing everything they can," they wrote.
"I still love Dollywood… but we barely escaped today," another wrote. A third added: "Didn’t have being stranded in the @Dollywood parking lot due to major flooding on my 2024 bingo card."
The Pigeon Forge Police Department stated that the flooding also shut down McCarter Hollow to Forge Hideaway Road. They encouraged drivers to use Parkway as an alternative. Bryan McCarter, the Sevier County Vice Mayor, added that a lot of side roads were unusable.
The Knoxville Police tweeted: "Periods of heavy rain are expected in our area for the next hour or more. Use caution on the roads, watch out for standing water, and be aware of the potential for flash flooding. And remember, as always, to never drive through flooded roads. Turn around, don’t drown."
Dollywood is the biggest-ticketed tourist attraction in Tennessee. Nearly three million people visit every year from mid-March to the Christmas holidays.
The park first opened in 1961 as Rebel Railroad. It was later rebranded as Goldrush Junction, Goldrush, and Silver Dollar City before Dolly brought half the park and it was rebranded as Dollywood in 1986.
Dollywood gave a statement to The US Mirror that read: "This afternoon, Sunday, July 28, a strong thunderstorm caused flash flooding at Dollywood. With the assistance of Pigeon Forge Police and Fire Departments, park personnel directed guests to safety during the storm. At this time, one minor injury has been reported."
"Dollywood is supporting guests whose vehicles were affected by this weather event, and cleanup crews have been deployed," it continued, "The park currently is scheduled to open at noon on Monday, July 29. Park officials will continue to assess conditions and updates will be posted to our social media pages as additional information becomes available."
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