Fall vacationers are worried about the situation in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, as communities in East Tennessee have been hit hard by devastating flooding from Hurricane Helen.
But the truth is very simple. Gatlinburg is open and welcoming visitors.
“We have received several inquiries from potential visitors regarding the situation in Gatlinburg. We welcome everyone who can travel safely to the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau,” the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau says at the top of its website.
The Little Pigeon River, which flows through Gatlinburg, is prone to flooding, but that wasn't the case when Helen passed through the area.
Is Gatlinburg influenced by Helen? Was it Pigeon Forge?
Both sides of the road and crosswalks along Parkway/US 441 in Gatlinburg were filled with visitors as Knox News drove by to check on the situation in the area post-Helen. Popular spots like Anakiesta, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Over Mountain, and the Gatlinburg Space Needle were very crowded this week.
David Stanfill, who works at the Sevierville Welcome Center, said his phone is ringing much more than usual from people asking if their area is flooded.
“We're just telling them, 'Hey, it's business as usual here.' It's our friends out east that have been really bad, but it's business as usual here,” he said. News told October 1st.
Minimal flooding in Pigeon Forge subsided in most areas immediately after the storm, according to an update from the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce. There were also no major problems with roads in Sevier County, spokesman Tyler Bassler told Knox News.
However, local officials recommend that visitors call hotels and vacation rentals directly in advance to confirm their situation and whether there have been any incidents related to Helen. A small community east of Gatlinburg does not have running water, but hotel and rental owners are notifying guests.
Why visitors should keep their plans for Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Communities across East Tennessee rallied to provide support and supplies to neighbors in the wake of Helen. Visitors will also be essential to rebuilding and reconstruction efforts.
“When people come to visit us, it's clear that tourism is very important to our economy, but it only helps the community as a whole,” said Amanda Marr, spokeswoman for Sevierville Tourism. Explained. “We just want to make sure people know they are welcome to come and keep their travel plans with us.”
Travelers visiting the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville area should check the latest online maps to find alternative routes where portions of Interstates 26 and 40 are closed. Other road closures are also in place.
Much of the damage is near the North Carolina border.
Deverick Turner is a popular news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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