A woman from East Tennessee has recounted her harrowing experience escaping Dollywood theme park during flash flooding on Sunday, July 28th.
Jada Bates, who lives near Knoxville, was visiting the park with her adopted grandchild and two friends when severe thunderstorms unleashed a torrent of water. The sudden deluge transformed parts of the park into a raging river.
"The benches for people to rest were floating," Bates said. "It was unlike anything I'd ever seen."
Bates and her companions sought refuge in the park for an hour, but as the rain seemed to subside, they decided to make a daring attempt to reach their car.
"The water was still low enough near our car, so we managed to get in and head towards an exit," she explained. "We had to get to the car, see if it was still there, and figure out if we could get home."
Bates captured some of the dramatic scenes on her phone, revealing the park in a state of almost unrecognizable devastation.
Following the incident, park officials confirmed that one person sustained minor injuries. They also stated that they had assisted those whose vehicles were damaged by the flood. Dollywood is currently assessing the park's infrastructure to determine if any improvements are necessary.
Undeterred by her experience, Bates expressed her intention to return to Dollywood soon, but this time she plans to be better prepared for the unpredictable weather.
The flash flooding at Dollywood served as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by sudden weather events, even in seemingly idyllic settings. It highlighted the importance of staying informed and taking necessary precautions during unpredictable weather conditions.
