Strong thunderstorms caused flash flooding at Dolly Parton's Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Park officials, along with local police and fire departments, swiftly ensured the safety of guests during the Sunday afternoon deluge. Fortunately, only one minor injury was reported, and the park is providing assistance to guests whose vehicles were affected. Cleanup crews have been mobilized to address the aftermath of the flooding.
Despite the weather challenges, Dollywood is set to reopen at noon on Monday, with Splash Country operating as usual since it was not impacted by the flooding. However, McCarter Hollow Road near the park entrance experienced a road collapse on Sunday night, leading to its closure by the Pigeon Forge Police Department.
One park visitor, a season pass holder from Knoxville, shared his experience of being caught in the sudden downpour. He noted that inclement weather sometimes results in shorter ride times due to fewer visitors, but on this occasion, the heavy rain quickly led to blocked entrances and thigh-deep water in some areas. The visitor and his family found themselves stranded in the parking lot for two hours until a crew facilitated their exit by breaking down a fence.
Despite the challenging conditions, park spokesperson Wes Ramey highlighted the effective response of both Dollywood staff and guests. Approximately 5 inches of rain fell within an hour, testing the park and city infrastructure. Ramey commended the hosts for managing the situation well, with only one minor injury occurring. He mentioned that a thorough evaluation of the response will be conducted to determine if any adjustments are necessary moving forward.
