The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: Severe Storms Impact Cherokee National Forest

USDA Forest Service officials at the Cherokee National Forest say that National Forest System Roads and trails were impacted by the recent severe storms. Extremely high water, numerous trees across roads and road damage has occurred in several locations.

National forest managers recommend postponing traveling forest roads until a full assessment has been done and hazardous areas have been marked or closed if necessary. Crews will be further assessing impacts to roads, trails and other facilities as soon as conditions are safe to do so.

If you must travel forest roads extra caution should be used. There are many roads throughout the 656,000 acre Cherokee National Forest that are rutted and rough and may have been narrowed due to slides and slough offs. In addition, the risk of falling trees due to the extreme wet conditions still exists.