Smokies visitors urged to reschedule

Visitors en route to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park next week are being warned of the possibility of mandatory evacuations and encouraged to reconsider their plans as Hurricane Irma moves inland.

The storm is estimated to pass through the park Monday during the day, overnight Tuesday and continue early Wednesday, according to a news release Friday from the National Park Service.

Campers in front country campgrounds are being alerted at check-in of potential hazards associated with the storm and being advised that mandatory evacuations may be implemented as early as Sunday afternoon, the release said.

The park service also issued an alert through its online reservation system Thursday night to all visitors with backcountry permits between Sunday and Thursday, Sept. 14, advising them to reschedule or cancel their plans.

“While the exact path is unknown, we are following the forecast carefully and this system will bring with it significant rainfall and strong wind,” the alert states. “These conditions can create numerous hazards for backcountry travel, from impassable stream crossings, falling/ downed trees, to mud and rock slides, and extreme caution is necessary.

“[T]he risks associated with this storm are such that none of the backcountry staff will be traveling in the backcountry during these conditions nor would we encourage anyone to do so. Due to anticipated road closures that may be in effect, much of the backcountry may also be inaccessible.”

The park is expecting anywhere between four and seven inches of rain and could see winds of between 40 and 70 mph, the release said. Floods, landslides, washouts and downed trees are likely.

Officials with the National Park Service will monitor the path of Irma and implement more preparations as the forecast develops.

If the storm continues on its projected path, widespread closures may be in effect as soon as Sunday afternoon and could include facilities, campgrounds, backcountry campsites or roads, the release said.

“Staff and visitor safety is at the forefront of all of our planning efforts,” Smokies Chief Ranger Steven Kloster said in the release. “We will continue to monitor the projected path of Hurricane Irma and will base all decisions on current and predicted weather conditions.”

Permit holders may contact the park’s backcountry office at 865-436-1297 to change their itineraries or cancel their permits and receive refunds of their permit fees.

Meanwhile, Bristol Motor Speedway is welcoming hurricane evacuees from across the Southeast to shelter at the facility’s campgrounds. For more information, call toll free 865-415-4158.

“These conditions can create numerous hazards for backcountry travel, from impassable stream crossings, falling/downed trees, to mud and rock slides, and extreme caution is necessary.” – NATIONAL PARK SERVICE