Poor Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge!!!

Tweets From Twitter:
"Smoke from #Gatlinburg #fires being smelled in Lexington, Kentucky and even north of Cincinnati, Ohio! Wow."

"WKRN: TEMA says 30 structures on fire in Gatlinburg, including 16-story hotel. Fire reportedly at the edge of Dollywood property.

WATE: Dollywood guests/cabins evacuated. DreamMore Resort evacuated."





The last photo is off the Park Vista Hilton Hotel in the mountains above the city of Gatlinburg. It was completely surrounded by flames, people were trapped inside, but thankfully nobody was hurt (that I'm aware of), and the fire has died down (though it's still too dangerous for anyone to go outside).

My family and I are safe, as we live 3 hours away; but Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg is my family's favorite vacation spot. We go there at least 4 or more times a year, get away from everything for a few days, go to Dollywood, and enjoy the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP).

My home is up in flames. My heart is shattered. Thousands of people forced to evacuate, hundreds of homes and buildings destroyed. Miles and miles of land just in ashes. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can make this better. I'm absolutely broken.

I have a family member who was awoken at 2am by flames in her yard. She had to quickly leave her home and everything behind. There is no word on the condition of her home or if it's even standing.

I've called East Tennessee my home for 25 years. And to see my home completely covered in ash and flames makes me physically and mentally ill.

Those who believe in the power of prayer, I ask that you please pray for Tennessee.
Those who believe in the power of positive thoughts, I ask that you please send them to Tennessee.

Last edited on 2016-11-29 at 07:34:40 by Gaia.

Oh Gaia!!!! *hugs* I am so sorry for the loss of your home!!!! D:

FG, not my own personal home, but a family members home. It's absolutely devastating. I'm just numb.

I'm so sorry to hear about this! I'm sorry about your relative, Gaia. I'll pray for all of Tennessee.

Either way, I am just shocked at the spread of those fires. Apparently, they found evidence that they were started by arson.

FG, yes. They've had 2 men in custody for quite some time now. 50% of downtown Gatlinburg is destroyed. 100+ personal homes have been destroyed and over 40 businesses. There is rain today, but it's very minimal and the winds are still strong. It's making for very rough conditions for all emergency personnel.

Oh!!!! They need the book thrown at them!!!! *shakes fist*

And during the Christmas Season too!!!!

3 deaths now confirmed. My heart. :(

Oh. My. Word. D':

Wait, are these connected to the arsonists they think started the fires down in NC?! Ugh, I'm sorry for everyone affected :(

Death toll is now at 7. :(

I know........... *sighs*