Inland is not immune!!!
Hurricane Nate’s high winds and rains expected this weekend could cause serious conditions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which sprawls across a half-million acres along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Park officials said that the effects of Tropical Storm Nate may impact the Smoky Mountains as early as Saturday afternoon. Preliminary estimate from the National Weather Service suggest that the storm may pass the park Saturday afternoon, overnight into Sunday and into Monday.
Current rainfall predictions range from 4-10 inches. Early wind estimates suggest the park could receive sustained winds of 25-39 mph with gusts greater than 40 mph. Historically, flooding, landslides, road washouts, and numerous tree falls along roadways and trails are associated with these types of weather conditions.
I expect a nearby river to come WAY up after Nate goes by...the source is on the NC side of the mountains, which is notorious for heavy downpours.
Considering Nate will not make landfall unto late tonight or early tomorrow hard to understand how it can pass by the park this afternon.