Dolly Parton’s Dollywood hit by major floods as visitors flee chaos and cars submerged

Flash flooding has badly damaged Dollywood, the well-known entertainment park owned by country music icon Dolly Parton.

This has forced the closing of surrounding highways and left guests stranded. In Tennessee, a storm preceded by unexpected flooding even resulted in one person being hurt.

The park is located in Sevier County, Tennessee; on Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning that was valid from 5.39 p.m. until 9.45 p.m. But when the waters quickly rose around them, a large number of guests at the park with a Dolly Parton motif became stuck. Videos that were circulated online depicted the scenario at Dollywood, where the intense rain carried picnic tables and umbrellas away. It looked like islands in the stream, with visitors wading through water that increased fast from ankle depth to waist level.

In response to the chaos, Dollywood management released a statement saying: “This afternoon, a strong thunderstorm caused flash flooding at Dollywood. With the assistance of Pigeon Forge Police and Fire Departments, park personnel directed guests to safety during the storm.

“At this time, one minor injury has been reported. Dollywood is supporting guests whose vehicles were affected by this weather event, and cleanup crews have been deployed. The park currently is scheduled to open at noon on Monday, July 29.”

In a different video, a park gift shop was flooded and had its doors wide open. Visitors found it difficult to leave the park since cars were reportedly submerged, according to the Mirror.

A park visitor used X to share their terrifying story of escaping the flooding at Dollywood. “We recently left the parking lot. To create a shortcut, they broke through the front fencing. We were fortunate enough to escape because we had parked in lot B, which was away from the low side, but other cars were buried approximately 3/4 of the way up. “First responders are exerting every effort,” they disclosed. Incredulous, another visitor tweeted, “I still love Dollywood… but we barely escaped today.”