Most access roads reopen in Cherokee National Forest after Helene

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — The U.S. Forest Service announced on Tuesday that it had restored access to most areas in the Cherokee National Forest that were closed amid Hurricane Helene flooding.

“Forest Service staff along with state and local officials are happy to restore access to most areas of the Cherokee National Forest forced closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” Michael Wright, forest supervisor, Cherokee National Forest, stated in a news release. “This was an unprecedented event that effected our communities and our staff that live in those communities. A lot of people from all over the country worked long hours in grueling conditions to complete necessary work for us to return access and I’m proud of their work.”

The new modified Oct. 15 closure order issued by USFS will reopen target shooting ranges and recreation areas unless signed closed; however, campgrounds in the northern districts will remain closed for the remainder of the year.

Portions of the Appalachian Trail will remain closed or inaccessible with hundreds of trees per mile blocking the route, USFS stated.

USFS also said that in coordination with local leaders, some destinations will remain closed while infrastructure work is ongoing: Bumpus Cove, Rich Mountain, and Dark Hollow among other areas identified in the closure order will remain closed to access “while critical infrastructure is restored.”

Visitors are also cautioned to be aware of downed trees and to monitor their speed on roads as crews continue to work on hazardous trees and destroyed roads.

“Please help emergency responders and do not block roads that are now much narrower in places because of downed trees,” said Wright. “We will be working on the recovery for a long time and travel will remain hazardous.”

National Forest property in the southern portion of Cherokee National Forest will remain normally accessible in McMinn, Monroe, and Polk counties.

The Cherokee National Forest, located in the southern Appalachian Mountains, is divided into northern and southern sections by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Maps of the current life and safety closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/cherokee/maps-pubs .

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