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.