U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Ryan Foote tells White County Commissioners about the damage done by the March 17th tornado(wrwh.com)
(Cleveland)- We continue to hear reports of damage inflicted by the Saint Patrick’s Day tornado that rolled through northern White County.
At this week’s meeting of the White County Board of Commissioners, Ryan Foote, U.S. Forest Service District Ranger provided the commissioners an update on current and future forest service projects in the area.
Foote also told the commissioners that the area where the March 17th tornado hit was in the Upper Chattahoochee Campground and Wildlife Management Area. “It leveled it,” he said. He feels lucky that he had earlier closed the campground and road because of resource damage.
According to Foote, they are currently assessing damage to the campground and roadway. He advised the upper section of Forest Service Road 44 remains closed. The Low Gap Campground and a section of FSR44 up 44D have been opened, but other sections remain closed because of trees down and a landslide near the upper Chattahoochee campground. Those areas pose a risk to public safety and will remain closed for a while.
The forest service is assessing the area for timber salvage operation. In other areas, Foote told the commissioners that the lower section on the west side of Tray Mountain Road has been worked and is in better condition while the other section Chimney Rock Mountain on the east side will remain closed.
Foote said due to budget restraints with the forest service they are struggling to meet the demands and maintenance to give this area the resources it needs.
