Full announcement from the Forest Service:
MURPHY, N.C., Feb. 1, 2013 – The U.S. Forest Service today announced that several roads on the Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest, remain closed because of mudslides caused by heavy rains in recent weeks.
The following Forest Service roads (FSR) are closed due to road failures caused by the storm event that occurred the week of Jan. 14, 2013.
FSR 340 (Fires Creek Rd.): Closed at the end of State Road #1344
FSR 440 (Big Tuni Creek Rd.): Closed on the south end at the end of State Road #1311 and on the north end closed approximately 0.1 mile south of the Cherokee/Macon County line.
FSR 423 (Tatham Gap Rd.): Closed at Milepost 1.0 from the junction of State Road #1391.
Forest Service engineers are assessing the damage and working with the Federal Highways Administration to determine if emergency funding will be made available to repair the roads. Until a final determination is made on the safety and stability of the roads, emergency closures will remain in effect.
The public is encouraged to contact the Cheoah ranger office at 828-479-6431 or the Tusquitee ranger office at 828-837-5152 for more information. Also, visitors can check the National Forests in North Carolina website, www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, for the latest information on road closures prior to traveling on Forest Service roads in the area.
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