Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Theme Park Hit by Flash Flooding During Thunderstorm
Dolly Parton‘s Dollywood Parks & Resorts experienced flash flooding on Sunday (July 28) as a heavy thunderstorm hit the area in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., over the weekend.
The park released a statement saying, “This afternoon, Sunday, July 28, 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.”
The statement continued, “Dollywood is supporting guests whose vehicles were affected by this weather event, and cleanup crews have been deployed. The park is currently scheduled to open at noon on Monday, July 29. Park officials will continue to assess conditions and updates will be posted to our social media pages as additional information becomes available.”
Billboard has reached out to Parton’s representatives for comment.
Video footage posted to social media showed the conditions at the park as attendees made their way out of Dollywood to their cars, with many walking through nearly waist-deep water. Other footage showed floodwaters running through the park’s main walkways.
Some news outlets reported that north of 4.5 inches of rain fell in the region in a short period of time, leading to the flooding at Dollywood. On Sunday, the Pigeon Forge Police Department noted that McCarter Hollow Road at the Dollywood entrance was briefly closed due to a road collapse.
Since 1986, Dollywood has drawn visitors from across the globe to experience the theme park rides, music shows and exhibits. The entertainment park has origins reaching to 1961, when Rebel Railroad first opened; the park then expanded and grew to become Dollywood. In 2023, Dollywood earned five Golden Ticket honors, with wins for best park, best guest experience, best kids area, best family coaster (for Big Bear Mountain) and best Christmas event (for Smoky Mountain Christmas).
See Dollywood’s statement about the flooding at the park below:
Jessica Nicholson
Billboard
