U.S. 19 in Nantahala Gorge reopens after Friday night mudslide

BRYSON CITY, N.C. (WLOS) — UPDATE: NCDOT reports both directions of U.S. 19 have reopened.

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Previous coverage: Heavy rains on Friday night caused a mudslide once again on U.S. 19/74 in the Nantahala Gorge. North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) crews have closed off the area in order to try and clear the scene.

A press release from NCDOT says crews arrived just three miles west of the Nantahala Outdoor Center after 9 p.m. on July 31. Officials say the closure is expected to last through most of Saturday while crews clear and inspect the area.

CRACKS NEAR MUDSLIDE LOCATION DELAY NANTAHALA GORGE OPENING; DETOUR INFO HERE

During the closure, the following detour will be in place:

• Westbound traffic will travel from U.S. 19/74 to N.C. 28 to Stecoah, N.C. 143 to Robbinsville and U.S. 129 to Topton and U.S. 74.
• Eastbound traffic will go to Robbinsville and then Stecoah en route back to U.S. 19/74. Visitors may still access the Nantahala Outdoor Center from the east.

Officials say engineers are working to divert excess rain away from the area through a pipe to prevent it from washing away a section of the road.

ROCK NETTING TO BE INSTALLED ALONG NANTAHALA GORGE SLIDE AREA; REQUIRES ROAD CLOSURE

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.