Greenbrier Area Of National Park Closed

The Greenbrier area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues to be a problem for park officials. After having the Greenbrier area partially opened after flooding a couple weeks ago, officials have now have closed the Greenbrier area to all use due to additional road damage caused by an estimated three inches of rain that fell during the early morning hours on Thursday, July 21. Roads that had been affecdted by the earlier flooding, were further damaged by floodwaters that rose above riverbanks and also from overland waterflow from above the roadways.
The overland waterflow caused a slide both above and below a steep road section between the Greenbrier Ranger Station and the Greenbrier Picnic Area. Water is now flowing below the road surface which has undermined the stability of the road. The road is unstable and is not safe for motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists to travel across. Engineers have been assessing road stability over the past several days and are making recommendations for repair options. The Greebnbriar area will remain closed to all use until further notice.