BREAKING: At least 14 wildfires burning in #Gatlinburg, TN. Are you there, evacuated? Tweet me pics/videos. https://t.co/9OTSRWYsnp
— Robin Meade (@RobinMeade) November 29, 2016
A historic wildfire has annihilated everything in its path of destruction in Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the neighboring resort towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge on Monday night. Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed by the wildfires in Tennessee and more than 14,000 people have been evacuated from the Gatlinburg area and are seeking refuge in emergency shelters.
Thirty structures were on fire in Gatlinburg, including the Park Vista Hotel, a 16-story hotel and the Driftwood Apartment complex near the Park Vista that has “been completely inundated,” said Dean Flener, spokesman for Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
“The center of Gatlinburg looks good for now,” said Newmansville Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Bobby Balding. “It’s the apocalypse on both sides (of downtown).”
WATCH: Massive wildfire emergency; thousands forced to evacuate homes: https://t.co/pRDDIIl5UJ #Gatlinburg https://t.co/CjKkVNQtdc
— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 29, 2016
Wind gusts up to 70 mph made the fires unmanageable for the fire crews battling at least 14 fires burning. The wildfires are in close proximity of Dollywood, the theme park owned by country music legend Dolly Parton.
A level 3 State of Emergency was declared by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) late Monday night.
Videos have emerged from the dramatic and frightening evacuation of thousands of residents fleeing their homes from the massive inferno including Michael Luciano. His terrifying video has the caption “We almost didn’t make it out alive!!” and shows him driving through the wildfires in Gatlinburg. It looks like a Hollywood disaster movie, but it is completely real and absolutely unnerving.
Here’s other videos from Luciano.
The photos and videos coming out of Gatlinburg are heartbreaking.
https://twitter.com/treyton/status/803426424774332416
Reason your trust is at all-time lows, @CNN @FoxNews @NBCNews, is that redundant political hot takes are prioritized over this. #Gatlinburg pic.twitter.com/h5fdSx7tIJ
— Matt (@Americooligan) November 29, 2016
#Gatlinburg this is the wedding chappel in Gatlinburg @spann @kingofkingsport pic.twitter.com/D4JloGqFoi
— LadyJsReviews (@ItsJustMeJen75) November 29, 2016
The Mountain Lodge Restaurant is no longer with us 😔#Gatlinburg pic.twitter.com/U5tQIBv8Ig
— OutKick Bets (@OutKickBets) November 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/LuvLibertyPeace/status/803606560459132928
WATCH: Incredible video from @wbir viewer Aaron Gholston of flames completely taking over Westgate Resort in #Gatlinburg pic.twitter.com/w4M0GNmNiv
— Madison Wade (@madisoncwade) November 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/NewMarketMauler/status/803420291506507776
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have closed all facilities in the park due to the extensive fire activity, and downed trees. pic.twitter.com/uZ2nLEOQrx
— GreatSmokyNPS (@GreatSmokyNPS) November 29, 2016
Not often you see as spectacular of a smoke plume on radar as #Gatlinburg now- come on rain! pic.twitter.com/6tQSJS13p3
— Eric Blake 🌀 (@EricBlake12) November 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/4BoysStrong70/status/803571841151270912