Flooding and rock slides close heavily damaged I-40 section in Smoky Mountains
HARTFORD, Tenn. (AP) — Heavy rain, flooding and a rock slide have again closed a section of the major cross country highway Interstate 40 along its narrow corridor through the Great Smoky Mountains with engineers expecting the road closed for at least two weeks.
The slide and flood happened Wednesday afternoon around mile marker 450 in Tennessee, just to the west of the state line with North Carolina, the Tennessee Department of Transportation said on social media.
Engineers have found significant damage on both the highway and nearby ramps which was more extensive than originally thought, Republican Tennessee Rep. Jeremy Faison said on social media.
'Several areas remain under water, and there are potentially compromised slopes. Geotechnical engineers are on-site today to assess the stability of those slopes,' wrote Faison, who represents the area.
Tennessee transportation officials estimate it will take at least two weeks to drain the water, make sure the slopes are safe and repair the highway.
The damaged section is part of 12 miles (19 kilometers) of I-40 in North Carolina and Tennessee that was washed away or heavily damaged by flooding that roared through the Pigeon River gorge during Hurricane Helene in late September.
Crews repaired and shored up enough of the old highway to open one narrow lane in each direction in March.
The lanes are separated by a curb several inches high that had to be removed to let vehicles stuck by the flooding and rockslide to turn around and go the other way.
About 2.5 to 3.5 inches (63 mm to 89 mm) of rain fell in the area over about three hours, according to the National Weather Service.
The permanent fix to stabilize what's left of the road will involve driving long steel rods into bedrock below the road, filling them with grout and spraying concrete on the cliff face to hold them in place. It will take years.
I-40 runs from Wilmington. North Carolina to Barstow, California, and any detour around the Great Smoky Mountain section is dozens of miles. Trucks have gotten stuck on twisty narrow mountain roads and are banned on another major highway through the area U.S. 441 through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The official detour takes drivers heading east on I-40 up Interstate 26 at Asheville, North Carolina, to Johnson City, Tennessee, and then south down Interstate 81 back to I-40.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
32 minutes ago
- New York Times
2 Hikers Dead, 3 Others Injured After Rockslide in Canada's Banff Park
Two people were killed and three others were injured after a cascade of sliding rocks fell on them on Thursday while they were hiking in Banff National Park in Alberta, one of Canada's major tourism destinations. The authorities recovered the body of one of the two hikers who were killed on Thursday and said she was a 70-year-old woman from Calgary. They did not release her name. The second body was recovered on Friday, and the authorities have not provided more information about that victim. Officials said they were not looking for any other possible victims. The rockslide happened near Bow Glacier Falls, an area about a half-hour drive north of Lake Louise, a major attraction in the park known for its vibrant blue waters set against a majestic background of towering mountains. Banff is Canada's most popular national park, with about four million annual visitors. 'I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event at Bow Glacier Falls,' Danielle Smith, the premier of Alberta, said in statement. Emergency crews were called to the area early Thursday afternoon, and found one hiker dead at the scene, which is part of a hiking trail. Two others were taken to a hospital by helicopters and the third in an ambulance. The authorities did not disclose their injuries. Disaster response teams had been flying aircraft in the park on Friday using infrared cameras, which capture thermal imaging, to survey the grounds, searching for other possible victims, and found the second hiker's body, then determined that there were no other victims. The authorities were working to notify the next of kin of the people killed in the rockslide and have dispatched a geotechnical engineer to survey the slope to determine the risks of more rockslides, according to a joint statement by Parks Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Bow Glacier Falls trail, where the hikers were traveling, is about 2.7 miles in one direction and takes around three hours to complete, according to Parks Canada, which rates the trail as appropriate for moderately experienced hikers.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
Mexico assessing damage from Hurricane Erick after storm killed 2
Residents and authorities in southern Mexico are assessing the damage and watching for rising rivers as rain from the remnants of Hurricane Erick doused the region. Landslides and flooding were an ongoing concern for officials after Erick – once a Category 4 hurricane — dissipated following landfall early Thursday. At least two deaths have been confirmed – a 1-year-old boy who drowned in a swollen river in Guerrero state and a man was electrocuted while helping with debris removal in Oaxaca state, officials said. An aerial view of the damage following Hurricane Erick in Chacahua, Oaxaca state, Mexico. CARLO ECHEGOYEN/AFP via Getty Images Erick came ashore down southern Mexico's Pacific coast Thursday morning as a Category 3 major hurricane. It landed between the resort cities of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido. Erick had strengthened to a Category 4 storm as it approached the coast, but weakened to a Category 2 storm before making landfall. Having doubled in strength in less than a day, Erick churned through an ideal environment for quick intensification. Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification — when a storm gains at least 55 kph (35 mph) in 24 hours — which is about twice the average and causes problems with forecasting, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Authorities reported landslides, blocked highways, downed power lines and some flooding as coastal residents, above all in Acapulco, took the storm seriously with memories of the devastating Hurricane Otis in 2023 still fresh in their minds. Erick wiped out power to more than 120,000 customers at one point. Locals look at damage after Hurricane Erick in Bahia Principal, Puerto Escondido, state of Oaxaca, Mexico. CARLO ECHEGOYEN/AFP via Getty Images "It was very strong, very ugly... the entire town is homeless, without clothes, we have no help," Francisca Avila, a 45-year-old housewife, told AFP, as she surveyed the loss of most of her belongings. In Puerto Escondido, fishermen searched for and inspected storm-tossed boats and residents cleared downed trees and other debris. Much of the town of about 30,000 people was left without electricity or cellphone coverage, AFP reported. The remnants of the storm dissipated Thursday night over the mountains in Michoacan state. Restaurants, shops and supermarkets gradually reopened in Acapulco, but schools remained closed across Guerrero on Friday as authorities continued to assess damage, clear debris and monitor rising rivers. "Many of us were frightened, but now it has passed," said Juan Carlos Castañeda, a 49-year-old security guard at an Acapulco condominium complex. He said the "tragedy of Otis marked all of us." Despite the rain, Castañeda decided to go out for a walk. A view of a structure destroyed by Hurricane Erick near Juchitan, Guerrero state, Mexico. FRANCISCO ROBLES/AFP via Getty Images Down the coast in the fishing village of Barra Vieja, the wind-whipped surf battered the shore and heavy rain kept residents sheltered indoors. Perla Rosas, however, was among the few who ventured out, umbrella in hand, to get to her job at a convenience store. "I feel more relaxed now, so I decided to come to work." Erick is the first major hurricane of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which runs from May 15 to Nov. 30. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. contributed to this report.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
National Hurricane Center tracking 4 tropical waves. Dangerous heat expected in Florida
A day after surging to Category 4 status and then hitting Mexico on June 19 as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, Erick has dropped down to a low-pressure area in the Pacific, according to the National Hurricane Center. Erick made landfall between Acapulco and the resort town Puerto Escondido early Thursday morning, the Associated Press reported, leaving damaged roads, localized flooding, widespread power outages and at least one person dead, a 1-year-old child whose mother had attempted to cross a swollen river. In the Atlantic basin, the early days of the 2025 hurricane season remain quiet. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring four tropical waves, including one in the eastern Caribbean. The first named storm in the Atlantic basin will be Andrea. ➤ Track all active storms ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Temperatures are expected to remain hot in Florida through the weekend, with the heat index reaching as high as 110 in some locations. Here's the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 7 a.m. June 20. Before striking Mexico, Erick doubled in strength in less than a day. Last year there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification — when a storm gains at least 35 mph in 24 hours — including the two storms that ravaged Florida. Hurricane Helene spun up from a tropical storm to a Category 4 monster in two days, and Hurricane Milton roared into a Category 5 from a tropical storm within just 24 hours. That's nearly twice as many as the average of the past 10 years, the NHC said. Such rapid changes make forecasting challenging and can leave residents unprepared. "Rapid intensification occurs when a tropical storm or hurricane encounters an extremely conducive environment," Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach said in 2020. "Typically, this environment consists of very warm water, low vertical wind shear and high levels of mid-level moisture." The National Hurricane Center is monitoring four tropical waves in the Atlantic basin. Tropical wave 1: A far eastern Atlantic tropical wave has its axis near 21W from 4N to 15N. It is moving westward at 6 to 12 mph. Tropical wave 2: An eastern Atlantic tropical wave has its axis near 37W from 05N to 16N, moving westward at an estimated speed of 17 mph. Tropical wave 3: A central Atlantic tropical wave has its axis near 52W from 04N to 16N, moving westward at 12 to 17 mph. Tropical wave 4: A central Caribbean tropical wave has its axis near 74W south of 17N to inland Colombia. It is moving westward at around 17 mph. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are near the wave axis. "The average first named storm in the Atlantic is June 20, but development over the central and eastern basin looks unfavorable through June at this time," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. "There is some dust moving through the Caribbean right now but most of it will stay south and west of Florida. Some will move into Texas and Louisiana late this week," DaSilva said. The next plume of dust that could impact South Florida may arrive around June 27 and could last a few days, DaSilva said via email. "The dust set to arrive in Florida in around 10 days could be comparable to the dust that went through Florida recently, however since it is still 10 days away and still over Africa, the dust concentration is still subject to change as it moves across the Atlantic." "Strong wind shear and an abundance of Saharan dust is helping to protect Florida," DaSilva said. There are "no concerns in the Atlantic for at least the next seven days. There is too much dry air and the wind shear is too high," DaSilva said. "If anything develops in June it would likely be in the Bay of Campeche or far western Caribbean, where the shear is a little lower." "The average first named storm in the Atlantic is June 20 and the average first hurricane is Aug. 11. It is not really that unusual for the start of the season to be quiet. Water temperatures and ocean heat content remain very high in the Gulf. "I think once we get more into the heart of the season, things could get very active. Expect a second-half loaded season. Dry air, including associated Saharan dust, along with wind shear, both prevent tropical systems from developing or strengthening, essentially cutting off the fuel storms need. Pensacola, western Panhandle: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 90. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Tallahassee, central Panhandle:A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 102. Calm wind. Jacksonville, North/Northeast Florida: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 103. West wind 6 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Daytona Beach to Stuart, East/Central Florida: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon. Orlando: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. West Palm Beach to Naples, South/Southwest Florida: West Palm Beach: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2pm and 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Naples: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 100. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Fort Myers to Sarasota, West/Southwest Florida: Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 98. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. High near 86, with heat index as high as 99 in Sarasota. Among the changes the National Hurricane Center announced for the 2025 hurricane season was the addition of a rip current risk map. ➤ National Hurricane Center lays out changes coming for 2025 season. See what to expect This new addition provided by the Hurricane Center will be provided for the current day, the next day, and as a composite showing the highest risk over both days for areas along the East and Gulf coasts of the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the coast of southern California. ➤ Florida ranks in top 5 states where swimming is most dangerous. How to avoid summer tragedy The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said. The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories. The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center. Hurricane season starts June 1 in the Atlantic basin. Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include: Tropical cyclone is the generic term used by the National Weather Service, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center for any tropical system, even if it's in the tropical Atlantic basin. To be more precise, a tropical cyclone is a "rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation," NOAA sadi. Once maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, what it is called is determined by where it originated: : for storms in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific. : for storms in the Northwest Pacific. : for storms in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida heat wave here as NHC tracks 4 tropical waves. Erick fades
