Great Smoky Mountains National Park closes roads amid wind concerns

All park roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were closed at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday because of predicted high winds.

According to a news release from the National Park Service, park crews will work to keep open the Gatlinburg Bypass and the Spur corridor between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

“The safety of our park employees and visitors is our highest priority,” said Alan Sumeriski, facility management chief. “We have staged equipment and crews to respond as safety and quickly as possible to open roads and respond to emergencies.”

Severe storms expected for East Tennessee; damaging winds, hail possible

Sugarlands Visitor Center and Oconaluftee Visitor Center are open, but Cable Mill Visitor Center area in Cades Cove is closed.

The park is experiencing sustained winds at the higher elevations of 20 mph with gusts of 50 mph. The incoming storm is predicted to bring winds with gusts up to 80 mph.

Park rangers are in the process of closing roads and notifying campers.

Near gale-force winds were blamed for spreading the small fire off the Chimney Tops trail into a firestorm that destroyed more than 17,000 acres and killed 14 people on Nov. 28 last year.

Park facilities will be reopened as conditions permit. Follow @SmokiesRoadsNPS on Twitter for more information.