TOWNSEND, Tenn. - Parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park re-opened to visitors after a violent storm killed two people earlier this week.
Rangers reopened Cades Cove Saturday night, but there is still much work to be done. The storms hit the west end of the reserve knocking over trees and blocking roads.
The storms hit at the west end of the 500,000-acre reserve on the Tennessee-North Carolina line. Two people were killed and several others were injured.
Dozens of campers were still in the Cades Cove area Saturday.
Much of the damage was in Cades Cove and in communities just outside the park boundaries.
According to the park's website, Little River Rd. from Metcalf Bottoms to the Townsend Wye, Rich Mtn. Rd., Parsons Brand rd., Tremont Rd. above the Institute, and Abrams Creek Entrance Road remain closed. Abrams Creek campground is also closed.
Rangers are keeping an eye on a few abandoned vehicles. It's believed they belong to some backpackers who still haven't returned.
(The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.)
