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101 mph winds and flooding hit Greater Cove Area
RG Williams
The Valley Voice
That day the wind came at Wears Valley like a junkyard
dog attacking the remains of a Sunday fried chicken.
On Wednesday, December 9th the National Weather
Service (NWS), gave a high-wind warning for the higher
elevations of Sevier and Blount Counties, stating that
as cold air moved across the state winds could be
expected to increase to 30 to 45 mph with gusts as high
as 60 mph in the highest terrain.
Ironically this NWS warning came after the 2:30 am
park service report of a 101 mph gust of wind at Fire
tower on top of Cove Mountain in Wears Valley. “This
type of gust is not unusual at all for that area” Park
Spokesman Bob Miller told the Voice.
Not just confined to the high mountains, in lower
elevations, wind toppled trees shut down traffic on
Wears Valley Rd. (Hwy 321), where Pigeon Forge
traffic was forced to detour via Valley View and Pine
Mountain. According to witness’s one of the trees
struck and destroyed a utility pole, tangling in the lines.
Power outages were widespread across Wears Valley
during the morning hours, in both homes and
businesses.
Area students woke up Wednesday to find that schools
had been closed due to downed trees, and flooding,
which included a partially submerged Pigeon Forge
High School student parking lot. Many area students
enjoyed a day that turned out sunny and mild-though
windy. The severe weather bulletin issued by the NWS
remained in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday evening.
RG Williams
The Valley Voice
That day the wind came at Wears Valley like a junkyard
dog attacking the remains of a Sunday fried chicken.
On Wednesday, December 9th the National Weather
Service (NWS), gave a high-wind warning for the higher
elevations of Sevier and Blount Counties, stating that
as cold air moved across the state winds could be
expected to increase to 30 to 45 mph with gusts as high
as 60 mph in the highest terrain.
Ironically this NWS warning came after the 2:30 am
park service report of a 101 mph gust of wind at Fire
tower on top of Cove Mountain in Wears Valley. “This
type of gust is not unusual at all for that area” Park
Spokesman Bob Miller told the Voice.
Not just confined to the high mountains, in lower
elevations, wind toppled trees shut down traffic on
Wears Valley Rd. (Hwy 321), where Pigeon Forge
traffic was forced to detour via Valley View and Pine
Mountain. According to witness’s one of the trees
struck and destroyed a utility pole, tangling in the lines.
Power outages were widespread across Wears Valley
during the morning hours, in both homes and
businesses.
Area students woke up Wednesday to find that schools
had been closed due to downed trees, and flooding,
which included a partially submerged Pigeon Forge
High School student parking lot. Many area students
enjoyed a day that turned out sunny and mild-though
windy. The severe weather bulletin issued by the NWS
remained in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday evening.