KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Hurricane Helene is expected to enter East Tennessee Thursday night into Friday morning, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds.
Helene could be a hurricane all the way up near Atlanta, then weaken to a tropical storm through the rest of North Georgia. It will weaken to a tropical depression then remnant Low once it crosses over into East Tennessee.
CLOSURES
Schools closing early on Thursday
- Cocke County - Closing early at 1:30 p.m.
- Grainger County - Closing early at 1 p.m.
Schools closed on Friday
- Anderson County Schools
- Annoor Academy
- Apostolic Christian Academy, Knoxville
- Apostolic Christian Academy of Maryville
- Athens City Schools
- Blount County Schools
- Campbell County Schools
- Christian Academy of Knoxville - Opening at 9 a.m.
- Claiborne County - Virtual Learning Day
- Cleveland State College
- Clinton City Schools
- Cocke County Schools
- Emerald Academy
- First Lutheran School
- Grainger County Schools
- Hancock County Schools
- Hawkins County Schools
- Jefferson County Schools
- Kings Academy
- Knox County Schools
- Landmark Christian Academy
- Lenoir City Schools
- Loudon County Schools
- McMinn County Schools
- Monroe County Schools
- Morgan County Schools
- Newport Grammar Schools
- Oneida Schools
- Roane County Schools
- Rogersville City Schools
- Sevier County Schools
- Sweetwater City Schools
- TN College of Applied Technology in Crossville - Virtual Learning Day
- Union County Schools
Roads
- Waldens Creek at Old Valley Road in Sevier County
- Headrick Lead at Clearfork in Sevier County
- North Clear Fork Road at Klaver Road in Sevier County
- Burden Hill in Sevier County
- 1015 Matthews Hollow Road in Sevier County
- Hard Lane at Matthews Hollow in Sevier County
- Sheconage Trail at Pittman Center in Sevier County
- 179 Whites School Road in Sevier County
- Hardin Lane in Sevier County
- Flatwood at Pecan Lane in Sevier County
- Ridge Road—near the Sevier Solid Waste and Tennessee National Guard Armory in Sevier County
- Rich Mountain Road in GSMNP
- Greenbrier Road in GSMNP
- Upper Tremont Road in GSMNP
- Sparks Lane in GSMNP
- Balsam Mountain Road in GSMNP
- Heintooga Ridge Road in GSMNP
- College Hil in Greene County
- Burden Hill Road near Eastgate Road in Sevier County
- New Era Road near the Dave & Buster's in Sevier County
- Newfound Gap Road/US 441 (closing at 2 p.m. Thursday)
Event cancellations and business closures
Dollywood closed Thursday, Sept. 26. Patrons are advised to check the park's social pages media later Thursday on the park's status for Friday.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park said the Mountain Life Festival, originally scheduled for Sept. 28 is canceled. The event's overflow parking area will be closed to prevent resource damage. The park said it will now offer harvest-related cultural demonstrations on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. instead.
Knox County Parks and Recreation announced the unveiling of the Todd Helton Baseball Complex on Friday has been canceled. They have yet to announce a rescheduled date.
The Townsend Fall Heritage and Bluegrass Festival scheduled for September 27-28 at the Townsend Events Center in Townsend is canceled.
Cocke County Circuit Court will be closed on Friday due to hazardous weather. They are expected to re-open on Monday, Sept. 30 at 8:30 a.m.
Knox County Juvenile Court, along with Knox County libraries and senior centers, will be closed on Friday. The Knox County government have not said when they will re-open.