The Hiwassee Dam Fire Department (HDFD) is asking the community to show understanding toward the increasing number of truck drivers being redirected through the area due to long-term road closures caused by Hurricane Helene.
In September, Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to I-26 and I-40, two key highways connecting North Carolina and Tennessee. Both interstates are now closed indefinitely because of infrastructure damage.
As truckers attempt to find alternate routes, they’re being diverted onto smaller roads and passing through areas that are not accustomed to handling heavy truck traffic.
On October 8, the HDFD in Murphy, North Carolina, posted on social media to inform residents about the challenges truckers are facing on local roads, urging drivers to be patient and alert as the roads become busier.
From HDFD:
Today was a busy one for your Hiwassee Dam Fire Department. We started the day with a flipped box truck in the 8000 block of 294. This had the entire road blocked for several hours. Thanks to folks marking the wreck on Waze and Google maps, a new route was drawn that took the traffic across Candy Mountain Road. Anyone who has driven this road knows at least 1 thing about it, it is no road for 18 wheelers. A semi was routed that way and dropped off the bank in a curve, thus closing a detour route around the first wreck. Eventually all roads were cleared and traffic returned to normal.
Please use extra caution when you are driving Highway 294. GPS has routed trucks this way as a bypass for the disaster areas on I-40 and I-26. Trucks use 294 to Highway 68 in Tennessee then to I75. Slow down, be aware and give a little more room. These truckers would much rather be on I-40 but they cannot and they still have jobs to do and supplies and goods to deliver. There has been over 200 tractor trailers on 294 since midnight and this will probably continue for the next several months. No, the state can not nor will they ban them from running these roads so keep your head in a swivel and be careful out there.
Firefighters urged the public to show some compassion for the truck drivers now using Highway 294.
