KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — The U.S. Forest Service announced on Tuesday that it had restored access to most areas in the Cherokee National Forest that were closed amid Hurricane Helene flooding.
“Forest Service staff along with state and local officials are happy to restore access to most areas of the Cherokee National Forest forced closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” Michael Wright, forest supervisor, Cherokee National Forest, stated in a news release. “This was an unprecedented event that effected our communities and our staff that live in those communities. A lot of people from all over the country worked long hours in grueling conditions to complete necessary work for us to return access and I’m proud of their work.”
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The new modified Oct. 15 closure order issued by USFS will reopen target shooting ranges and recreation areas unless signed closed; however, campgrounds in the northern districts will remain closed for the remainder of the year.