Torrential rain and thunderstorms across Knox and Sevier counties caused flash flooding at Dolly Parton‘s Dollywood theme park on Sunday (July 28).
The park — which is located in Parton’s hometown of Pigeon Forge, Tenn. — experienced rain so severe that guests waded through ankle-deep water, and shop storefronts saw water levels rising into their establishments.
Out in the parking lot, video shows that the water levels were so high that cars were inaccessible.
One “minor injury” was reported from the flooding, according to a statement that the theme park shared on social media.
“With the assistance of Pigeon Forge Police and Fire departments, park personnel directed guests to safety during the storm. At this time, one minor injury has been reported,” the statement reads in part.
“Dollywood is supporting guests whose vehicles were affected by this weather event, and cleanup crews have been deployed.”
Video footage from Knoxville-based ABC affiliate WATE 6 shows the impact on park-goers who waded through water that was rapidly rushing across walking paths.
Related: Remember When Dollywood First Opened Its Doors?
“As we were walking around, every way we went was flooded, parkgoer Jessica Gunter tells WATE 6. “The emporium had flooded with water. You could see that it had gone from the entrance to the exit.
“… We kinda hopped the fence and went back to the car, and there were cars that had been trying to leave and I guess they had had to abandon them,” Gunter continued.
In a statement on social media, the Pigeon Forge police department indicated that McCarter Hollow Road, which leads to the entrance of Dollywood, experienced road collapse and was closed during the flooding.
Dollywood’s statement indicates that the park planned to reopen at 12PM local time on Monday (July 29).
Carena Liptak is an Associate Editor and staff writer at Taste of Country. She specializes in breaking country music news, interviews and lists. In particular, she’s got a soft spot for sad songs — check out her roundup of the 50 Saddest Country Songs of All Time!
PICTURES: Look Inside Dolly Parton’s Longtime Nashville Home
Dolly Parton’s surprisingly humble former home in Nashville has finally sold, after many years on and off the market. Parton and her husband, Carl Dean, purchased the 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in 1980, and they owned it until 1996. It’s been on and off the market for 12 years, finally selling for $849,000 in December of 2021.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker