| Published: 9:27 AM, 01/22/2013 |
Author: Tommy Millsaps Source: The Monroe County Advocate
On Jan. 12, the mercury soared into the
mid 70s, setting a record high for the day.
It touched off a wild week of weather
that saw around 8 inches of rainfall in many locations in Monroe
County, causing flooding and closing schools much of the week.
The biggest news came when a large
rockslide at the end of the week near the Tennessee-North Carolina
state line closed the Cherohala Skyway. Monroe County Director of
Tourism Julie Morgan said travel on the road is not as heavy in the
winter, so it is believed the impact on tourism will be minimal for
now.
However, Morgan said Friday she will
work with Scenic Byway and state tourism officials to keep people
coming to Monroe County if the problem last into the big travel
months. Information about other routes while still promoting all the
great attractions in the county, including the Skyway will be part of
the effort.
The North Carolina Department of
Transportation released this statement on the rock slide:
"The N.C. Department of
Transportation has closed the Cherohala Skyway (N.C. 143) in western
Graham County, a 20-mile route through the Nantahala National Forest
popular for its scenic views, due to a major landslide that occurred
this (Friday) morning. The slide occurred in North Carolina a half
mile from the Tennessee border. It measured approximately 150
feet wide and stretched 800-900 feet down the mountainside." See full story in the Sunday, Jan. 20, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.
Subscribe to The Advocate and Democrat by clicking SUBSCRIBE.
Sign up for Breaking News emails from The Advocate and Democrat by clicking EMAIL ALERTS and inputting
your email address next to "Add Me" near the top left corner.
|