Dollywood, Tennessee’s famous amusement park, experienced severe flash flooding after a powerful thunderstorm hit the area on Sunday. The storm brought torrential rain, resulting in one person being injured and significant disruptions across the park. The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for the region, including Pigeon Forge where Dollywood is located, after 2.5 inches of rain fell within an hour, accumulating to 4 inches overall.
Photos and videos captured during the flash flooding showed water covering walkways, parking lots, and even entering several shops within the park. Visitors, including Bailey and Sophie Elkins, had to wade through the rushing water to find shelter. Many vehicles were trapped in the floodwaters, and guests had to wait for the water to recede before safely leaving the park. Dollywood officials confirmed that only one minor injury was reported and praised the calm and collected response of their employees during the incident.
In the aftermath, Dollywood released a statement indicating that they are supporting guests whose vehicles were affected by the flooding and that cleanup crews have been deployed. The park is expected to reopen on Monday afternoon, with officials continuing to assess conditions and provide updates on social media.
The flash flooding at Dollywood underscores the unpredictability and potential danger of severe weather events. It also highlights the importance of quick and effective response measures by both park officials and emergency services to ensure the safety and well-being of all visitors.
