On Monday, November 28, 2016, devastating wildfires tore through the Great Smoky Mountains, coming dangerously close to downtown Gatlinburg, and attractions such as Ober Gatlinburg, and Ripley's Aquarium. As winds picked up, the fires spread quickly forcing thousands to evacuate their homes and businesses, including aquarium workers, who had to leave over 10,000 marine animals alone, without knowing their fate. Power was lost, homes burned to the ground, and the Smokies lived up to their name. By Tuesday morning, first responders were exhausted, but thankfully, the rain started to pour and winds died down, helping to extinguish the flames.
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Now, just a few days later, it is Thursday, December 1, and the damage has been done. Ober Gatlinburg is safe, and untouched, as is the aquarium and all of the animals. Downtown Gatlinburg remains, aside from a few buildings on the backstreets such as the Alamo Steakhouse, Cupid's Chapel of Love, Mysterious Mansion, the Mountain Lodge, hundreds of homes, cabins, hotels, and lodges.
The death toll has risen to at least seven, with several missing, and thousands displaced. Dolly Parton, who is from the area, and the Dollywood Foundation have already pledged to donate one thousand dollars per month to every family that was displaced by the wildfires, for the first six months.This may sound horrifying, and heartbreaking but as a regular visitor to this beautiful town, I know the people are still standing and will continue to rise from the ashes just like Icarus when he flew too close to the sun.
If you had previous plans to visit East Tennesee, do not cancel them. Go! Tourism is what keeps Gatlinburg thriving. The town is still standing, despite what the media is reporting. If you would like to donate, you can do so by going to http://www.redcross.org/
