HARTFORD, Tenn. – A critical stretch of Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge has been closed again, just three months after reopening from last September’s Hurricane Helene washout. Heavy rain and rockslides have once again cut off this vital connector between Tennessee and North Carolina, leaving motorists facing lengthy detours, according to the Associated Press.
What Happened This Time?
On June 19, more than 2.5 inches of rain fell in just a few hours near mile marker 450, triggering flash flooding and a significant rock slide. The force of the water submerged both lanes and damaged the roadside slopes, prompting emergency crews to shut down the interstate for safety reasons.…