Great Smoky Mountains National Park closes roads ahead of Hurricane Helene

(This story has been updated with additional closures).Great Smoky Mountains National Park More announced additional road closures and event cancellations in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Helene’s outer bands, according to the National Park Service.Risks of flooding, high winds, downed trees, landslides and power outages are highest Thursday night into Friday, according to a Sept. 26 park service news release. Some park locations have already received 4-5 inches of rainfall.The National Weather Service forecasts heavy rain through the end of the week and high winds tonight into Friday. The park is anticipating up to 10 inches of rain to fall through Sept. 27.The forecast breakdown around the national park is 3-5 inches of rain Sept. 25-26 and an additional 3-5 inches the evening of Sept. 26 into Sept. 27. Wind gusts up to 70 mph are possible.Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are under a flash flood warning until 3 p.m. today and a flood…