KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — With storms moving into the region, some closures in East Tennessee have already been announced.
Storm Team 6 is Weather AWARE through Friday because of the storms moving in from the south to the north. The areas with a high threat of flash flooding are in Sevier, Cocke, and Greene counties along the Tennessee border, but there is also a medium threat present for much of the region.
First September tornado in recorded East TN history confirmed by NWS Several counties have already been placed under Flood Watches and Flash Flood Warnings.
Around 11:50 a.m. Thursday, the Pigeon Forge Police Department shared that River Divide Road and Sharp Hollow Road would be closing in both directions within the next 15 minutes because of rising water levels. The gates were also being closed at the Pigeon Forge city limits at the Henderson Road Bridge leading toward Battle Hill Road as the area has been prone to flooding in recent years, PFPD said.
Around 3 p.m., the City of Sevierville shared that Burden Hill Road near Eastgate Road was closed due to flooding, and New Era Road near Dave and Busters had some standing water but was remaining open for the time being.
Dollywood announced Thursday morning that the park would be closed due to inclement weather.
“As a precaution and for the safety of our hosts and guests, Dollywood Theme Park will be closed today (Thursday, Sept. 26). Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort will remain open to accommodate current guests.”
Guests with tickets dated for Sept. 26 can use them on the next operating day, Dollywood said. Alternatively, guests who are unable to use their tickets for another operating day can request a refund by calling 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
Critical warning came minutes before EF-1 tornado touched down in Hancock County Blount Partnership announced Thursday morning that the Townsend Fall Heritage and Bluegrass Festival scheduled for Sept. 27-28 was canceled due to Hurricane Helene.
“With the safety of attendees, performers, and vendors as the top priority, this decision was made in light of the significant rainfall and high winds expected in the region as a result of the hurricane,” Jeff Muir, Blount Partnership’s communications director shared in a news release. “These conditions are anticipated to create hazardous travel and saturated grounds, posing a safety risk for those attending and participating in the event. This marks the first time in the festival’s 30-plus year history that it has been completely canceled, underscoring the severity of the weather forecast.”
Due to the expected weather impacts from Hurricane Helene, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has announced several closures and event cancellations, including:
- Newfound Gap Road/US Highway 441 will Thursday today at 2 p.m.
- Sugarlands, Oconaluftee and Cades Cove visitor centers will close today at 3 p.m. through at least Saturday morning, weather and road conditions permitting.
- In North Carolina, Cataloochee Road, Heintooga Ridge Road, Balsam Mountain Road (Heintooga/Round Bottom/Straight Fork Road), Balsam Mountain Campground and Cataloochee Campground are closed.
- In Tennessee, Rich Mountain Road, Greenbrier Road, Upper Tremont Road and Sparks Lane are closed.
Parson Branch Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park also remains closed due to the impacts of the Flint Gap Fire.
The Mountain Life Festival , which was scheduled for Sept. 28, is canceled. Harvest-related cultural demonstrations will now take place on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To find current road closures in Sevier County, click here.
Around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Anakeesta announced it would be closing at 2 p.m. due to severe weather threats moving into the region. Anyone who would like more information or to request a refund is asked to email info@anakeesta.com or call (865) 325-2400.
LIVE: Helene’s latest track, models on Tracking the Tropics Several schools, including Knox County Schools, have also announced closings for Friday. View the full list of closings below.
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A
Alcoa City Schools
Blount School
Closed Tomorrow
Anderson County Schools
Anderson School
Closed Tomorrow
Annoor Academy of Knoxville
Knox School
Closed Tomorrow
Apostolic Christian Academy-Maryville K5-12
Blount School
Closed Tomorrow
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B
Bell County Schools
Bell School
Operating Remotely
Blount County Schools
Blount School
Closed Tomorrow
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C
Campbell County Schools
Campbell School
Closed Tomorrow
Christian Academy of Knoxville
Knox School
Delayed 1 hour
Claiborne County Schools
Claiborne School
Virtual Learning Day
Cleveland State – All Sites
Bradley School
Closed Tomorrow
Clinton City Schools
Anderson School
Closed Tomorrow
Clinton City Schools
Anderson School
Closed Tomorrow
Cocke County Schools
Cocke School
Closed Tomorrow
Concord Christian School
Knox School
Opening at 10:00 AM
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E
Emerald Academy
Knox School
Closed Tomorrow
Episcopal School of Knoxville
Knox School
Closed Tomorrow
Etowah City School
McMinn School
Closed Tomorrow
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F
Fentress County Schools
Fentress School
Closed Tomorrow
First Lutheran School
Knox School
Closed Tomorrow
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G
Grainger County Schools
Grainger School
Closed Tomorrow
Greeneville City Schools
Greene School
Closed Tomorrow
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H
Hancock County Schools
Hancock School
Closed Tomorrow
Harlan County Public Schools
Harlan School
Closed Tomorrow
Hawkins County Schools
Hawkins School
Closed Tomorrow
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J
Jefferson County Schools
Jefferson School
Closed Tomorrow
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K
Knox County Juvenile Court
Knox Government
Closed Tomorrow
Knox County Schools
Knox School
Closed Tomorrow
Knoxville Catholic High School
Knox School
Closed Tomorrow
Knoxville Jewish Day School
Knox School
Delayed 2 hours
Knoxville Prep School
Knox School
Closed Tomorrow
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L
Landmark Christian Academy
Scott School
Closed Tomorrow
Lenoir City Schools
Loudon School
Closed Tomorrow
Loudon County Schools
Loudon School
Closed Tomorrow
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M
Maryville City Schools
Blount School
Closed Tomorrow
McCreary County Schools
McCreary School
Closed Tomorrow
McMinn County Schools
McMinn School
Closed Tomorrow
Mid-East Loudon County Head Start
Roane School
Closed Tomorrow
Mid-East Roane County Head Start
Roane School
Closed Tomorrow
Middlesboro Independent Schools
Bell School
Virtual Learning Day
Monroe County Schools
Monroe School
Closed Tomorrow
Morgan County Schools
Morgan School
Closed Tomorrow
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N
Newport Grammar School
Cocke School
Closed Tomorrow
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O
Oneida Special School District
Scott School
Closed Tomorrow
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P
Parrot-Wood Memorial Library
Jefferson Business
Closed Tomorrow
Pineville Independent Schools
Bell School
Virtual Learning Day
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R
Roane County Schools
Roane School
Closed Tomorrow
Rogersville City Schools
Hawkins School
Closed Tomorrow
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S
Scott County Schools
Scott School
Closed Tomorrow
Sevier County Schools
Sevier School
Closed Tomorrow
St. Joseph School
Knox School
Closed Tomorrow
St. Mary's School
Anderson School
Closed Tomorrow
Sweetwater City Schools
Monroe School
Closed Tomorrow
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T
Tennessee School for the Deaf
Knox School
Closed Tomorrow
Tennessee Wesleyan University
McMinn School
Closed Tomorrow
The Kings Academy
Sevier School
Closed Tomorrow
Tri-State Christian Academy
Claiborne School
Closed Tomorrow
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U
Union County Schools
Union School
Closed Tomorrow
United States District Court – Knox
Knox Government
Opening at 9:00 AM
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W
Webb School of Knoxville
Knox School
Opening at 10:00 AM
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