Great Smoky Mountains National Park suffered significant damage to park roads and trails following a flood event last week resulting in the temporary closure of sections of gravel roads within several popular areas.

Closed areas include Greenbrier Road past the Greenbrier Ranger Station, Cataloochee Road past Palmer Chapel and Parson’s Branch Road.

During the rain event on Jan. 30, the park received more than 4 inches of rain in 24 hours resulting in flooding of streams throughout the park, which were already swollen from higher than normal precipitation throughout January. Average rainfall during January across the Park averages 5-7 inches of rain, but the park received 14-17 inches of rain this January.

The gravel roads in Greenbrier, Cataloochee and Parson’s Branch were washed out ...