Newfound Gap Road (US 441) the Great Smoky Mountains national parks main road connecting Gatlinburg Tennessee with Cherokee North Carolina has just been closed due to ice and snow. Snow falling right now will probably make driving on Newfound Gap Road too treacherous for at least the balance of the day.
There has already been a report of a car sliding off the roadway that will need to be recovered. The driver of this car was able to make 2 cell phone calls to the Swain Counties Sheriff's office and is believed to be OK.
At least one other car is stranded because of snow and ice which was backing up the last of the traffic on the Tennessee side.
To make matters worse, a crucial section of I-40 near the Tennessee North Carolina border still remains closed because of a landslide and old 284 which will most likely close, cannot be plowed.
Those looking to go around the park will need to make very large detours on more treacherous roads that also may close so the best advice is to stay put.
The Spur section of the Foothills Parkway between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee is still open, is being sanded right now, and should be able to remain open.
In weather such as this, the best thing to do is remain safe at home if possible. If you do go out, you must have enough clothes in your vehicle to be able to withstand the weather so that you can leave your car if needed. You also need proper shoes for walking in snow and ice - sneakers are not adequate!
Hey!we were the ones stranded in the red Kia,there was 3 of us,females,one was asleep in the back seat,this message goe to the gentleman and his wonderful family who helped us come through in a tragic time for all of us,THANK YOU! THANK YOU,THANK YOU!!!!May your family be richly blessed!thank you so much and thank you to the guys in the sand trucks!you guys was a blessing...we shall never forget.
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