Interstate closures due to Helene could impact tourism, create supply chain delays

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The impacts of Helene have devastated portions of eastern Tennessee impacting homes, residents and roads.

Portions of Interstate 40 in the state’s easternmost communities that washed away during Hurricane Helene are now responsible for major detours and delays.

North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) officials warned travelers that Tennessee is cut off from North Carolina via I-40 indefinitely. I-26 at the Tennessee state line is also closed for structure repairs, according to TDOT. On Monday, crews hauled 58 loads of debris to the landfill from just one area of I-26 in Unicoi County.

The roadway impacts come as the start of the fall and foliage marks a prime season for tourism to Gatlinburg.

News 2 reached out to the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors’ Bureau to ask if they expect tourism to be impacted by the interstate closure following Helene. A spokesperson said in a statement in part:

“We are grateful that Gatlinburg was unaffected by the recent flooding, and our hearts are with our neighbors in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina that were severely impacted and still assessing damage. The safety of our visitors is our number one priority, and we are actively working to be a resource for visitors who have planned their fall travel to Gatlinburg and Sevier County through updating our website, social media channels, and more with up-to-date road closures and safe alternative routes. Gatlinburg welcomes all visitors that can safely travel using clear roads and routes.”

Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau

It’s not just the tourism industry feeling the impacts of Helene. In fact, the supply chain could also take a hit. Richard Tarpey, an assistant professor in the Department of Management at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), told News 2 there’s a domino effect that could occur as a result of the interstate closures.

“If you’re going to get delays in supply chain, you’re probably already experiencing them and they’re not going to be massive delays. At the end of the day there’s other routes,” said Tarpey.

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“From a consumer perspective, anytime there are interruptions in the supply chain, that’s going to end up being higher costs somewhere. It’s going to take longer, some trucks will be on more local roads, which is going to be a problem, definitely going to take longer obviously, and if the routes are longer that’s going to boost the cost so some retailers. I’m sure will use this to increase costs in some fashion,” added Tarpey.

On Wednesday, Governor Bill Lee provided an update following the devastation of Helene , stating that 400 TDOT workers in the region have inspected at least 300 bridges and have brought road closures down to 25.

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