The threat of high wind gusts Monday [Feb. 27] forced the closure of U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road, between Gatlinburg and Cherokee, North Carolina, prompting commuters to find an alternate route. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park Service issued a high wind warning of gusts up to 70 miles per hour through the mountains, and said damaging winds expected to blow down trees and power lines, resulting in widespread power outages kept crews on standby.
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