Another change is that the county now handles the emergency notifications instead of TEMA, hoping that a more localized approach will notify people quicker. "You know, it happened so fast, it was staggering," said Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner, who lost his two-story home as well as the condominium business he has managed for 31 years. During a press conference on Tuesday, Werner and Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said that based on initial estimates, at least 140 homes have been destroyed by the blaze, dubbed the Chimney. This is the largest fire in the last hundred years of the state of Tennessee, Gov. Its unclear if the Southeast will become wetter or drier due to climate change and that will have a big influence on future wildfire activity. to see possibly who they are and full class lists found from school records and public sources. The wildfires engulfed Werner's house, which he built himself, along with all seven buildings of the condominium business he owns. Violent wildfires raged for days near the towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Pigeon Forge, home to Dolly Partons Dollywood theme park, is among the premier tourist destinations in the region. (865) 436-4178 Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen, Woods HIippensteal, Parliamentarian The department is proud to feature their stories on tn.gov/tourism and the department's industry Facebook page with the hashtag #servingTN March 5-14. Facebook Twitter The region is likely to keep warming, though, and that means that any future dry spells will be more likely to lead to drought, creating more fuel for fires to burn. Gatlinburg is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States.It is located 39 miles (63 km) southeast of Knoxville and had a population of 3,944 at the 2010 Census and a U.S. Census population of 3,577 in 2020. Gatlinburg's mayor Mike Werner lost his own home and business in the flames, but offered words of encouragement to residents. Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. Mike Werner works as a Mayor at Gatlinburg Daily Post, which is a Media & Internet company. in Business We use cookies to personalize & enhance your experience. City of Pigeon Forge. to see complete work history. Mike has been such a hard working and valuable influencer of Gatlinburg for so many years, said Ryan DeSear, Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau Board President. Mike Werner Mayor Address: 1230 East Parkway, P.O Box 5 Gatlinburg TN 37738 USA Phone: (865) 436-1400 But I'm just thankful that we're here to be able to try to help everybody; that's our goal.". — -- The mayor of a small mountain town in eastern Tennessee is among those who tragically lost their homes and businesses in deadly wildfires that have scorched the state. Anyone can read what you share. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory. . Gov. Collier Food Groups, Maggie Bowers, Secretary *Population figure provided by the State of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Center for Economic Research in Tennessee (CERT) and updated annually. Tinderbox conditions and powerful winds whipped up a firestorm in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, forcing the evacuation of at least 14,000 residents from the gateway communities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Those areas are no strangers to fire, however. Gatlinburg is one of the gateways to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most trafficked park in the U.S. with 10.7 million visitors in 2015. This is definitely an anomaly, Sanders said. Mike is currently based in United States. See Through October, Tennessee is also having its third-warmest year on record. Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States. FedEx to close 29 freight locations, consolidate operations, A TENNESSEE WALTZ: Ray Blanton's Last Dance. Includes Address(1) Phone(1 . Jamie Sanders, a public affairs employee at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, said the fire was likely human-caused, though investigators are still trying to pin down more specific details. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The phone numbers (423) 430-2629(Cellco Partnership), (423) 430-4031belong to his. City of Gatlinburg, Robert (Bob) Bentz, Elected Director What information about Michael are you looking for? "I call it a huge bump in the road. Intense winds which Sanders said gusted up to 87 mph sent embers flying, sparking new fires faster than firefighters could keep pace. Others named Michael Werner. Cindy Ogle, City Manager of Gatlinburg, Tennessee with Gatlinburg Fire Department. Mayor Mike Werner elected as Tennessee Municipal League President. All Filters. Who's Searching for You, Look Your Best to People Searching for You. Thats ensured the entire state is mired in drought with the epicenter in the southeast part of the state thats currently ablaze. Its a devastating time for us and for Gatlinburg, he said. Resides in Gatlinburg, TN. Mike Werner. Thousands of people were evacuated. in Government Officials did not say how the three who died were killed. government sources. Sidney James Mountain Lodge, GusFloodquist, Elected Director Basically, the city manager and I made a pact; she lost her home in the fire, too, that were not going to worry about ourselves until we take care of everybody else, said Werner. "It's going to be OK.", MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Wildfires, Richard T. Ramsey and Sue Ramsey hold hands while looking at the skyline from the remains of their house of 41 years, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This section can be locked, requiring permission to Copyright 2022 WVLT. People were basically running for their lives, Werner said at a press conference Tuesday. Also known as Michael Werner. It's unlike anything we've ever seen.. This profile was gathered from multiple public and businesses, and does affect the Reputation Score. During a press conference on Tuesday, Werner and Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said that based on initial estimates, at least 140 homes have been destroyed by the blaze, dubbed the Chimney Top Fire. Learn more about, They consistently provide great experiences for their guests, To help with bookings, call our support phone number:1-877-202-4291, Cheap pet friendly cabins in Gatlinburg tn. The official Facebook Page for the City of Gatlinburg (TN) Government. Mayor Werner hopes itll all be finished by the end of the year. Read More. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP), Massive Pileup Shuts Down I-55 In Illinois, How The Omega Block Will Dominate Our Weather. The department nominated Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner and Gatlinburg City Manager Cindy Cameron Ogle, who helped manage the city through the November 2016 wildfires. As a member of the Tennessee Municipal League Board of directors, Mayor Werner will propose and help determine legislation municipalities need passed into law and will establish policy priorities for the League. Climate Matters is a reporting resource program that helps meteorologists and journalists report on climate impacts and solutions in ways that are local, immediate, and personal grounded in the latest science. In the midst of responding to the wildfires, mayor Werner recalls getting word that his home and business had both burned down. (MORE: The Latest on the Tennessee Wildfire). As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Recognizing his many years of faithful promotion of Gatlinburg as a premier tourist destination, Mayor Mike Werner was named the recipient of the 2015 Zeno Wall Jr. Tourism Award, capping the 2015 Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Banquet Monday night at W.L. "We will rebuild," Werner said. "We lost our home, we lost our business," Werner told WATE. Tennessee Tourism is committed to partnering with passionate leaders like Mayor Werner and City Manager Ogle in #serving TN, equipping them with the resources necessary to support their communities. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - On Nov. 28, 2016, wildfires tore through Gatlinburg and Sevier County, leaving behind devastation in the days and years after. These are articles or announcements submitted to the Sevier News Messenger by individuals, businesses, agencies or organizations. to see possibly who they are and full class lists found from school records and public sources. Gatlinburg's mayor Mike Werner lost his own home and business in the flames, but offered words of encouragement to residents. Wedding Association, Cassius Cash, Liaison Designated All Filters. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Michael Werner is 72 years old and was born on 04/14/1951. Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP. The images and videos that came out of Gatlinburg on Monday night are eerily similar to wildfire evacuations in Fort McMurray, Alberta earlier this year and Lake, Sonoma and Napa counties in California last year. The campaign is fundamentally a collaborative effort, coordinated by the Governor's Office and extending across state government during the week of March 5, 2018. The Gatlinburg CVB is overseen by a Board of Directors that includes the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, City Manager Cindy Cameron Ogle and City Commission Designees. Officials said at a press conference Tuesday that some 150 structures were damaged or destroyed in all of Sevier County, which encompasses Gatlinburg. The family did manage to save their dogs, Gizmo, a Pekingese, and Scruffy, a Chihuahua-Jack Russell mix, along with their kitten, Snowball. Mayor Mike Werner lost his home and business in the midst of planning next steps for the city after 2016 wildfires. Dramatic videos shot by residents and shared online showed flames lining the edge of the highways used for evacuations. Cookies are used for measurement, ads and optimization. The United States Drought Monitor reported last week that 60 percent of Tennessee was in exceptional or extreme drought, the two most severe ratings. Why Mike Werner chose Gatlinburg Recognizing his many years of faithful promotion of Gatlinburg as a premier tourist destination, Mayor Mike Werner was named the recipient of the 2015 Zeno Wall Jr. Tourism Award, capping the 2015 Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Banquet Monday night at W.L. Fowlers Clay Works, Sid Maples, Elected Director Mills Conference Center. Read More Jun 19, 2020 . contact city hall1230 East ParkwayGatlinburg, TN 37738(865) 436-1400 2021 Gatlinburg TN. December 4, 2015 Everywhere you looked, there were fires everywhere. view. Mr. Mike Werner Mr. Mike Werner - Mayor, Gatlinburg (865) 436-1400 mwerner@gatlinburgtn.gov 1230 East Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Updating Individuals See information for this individual that needs to be updated? We are very involved in Gatlinburg. #Gatlinburgpic.twitter.com/dWiYrV0tyf, NewMarketMauler (@NewMarketMauler) November 29, 2016. "So I think thats how Im getting through this, is focusing more on others than myself because so many other people are in the same boat.". Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. City of Gatlinburg, Mark McCown, Vice Mayor Elected as a City Commissioner in June 1999, Mayor Werner has played a pivotal role in the tourism industry in Gatlinburg for many years. I dont know if well ever recover, but these lessons learned will help us in the future, said EMA Director Joe Ayers. Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner talked about losing his home and business. Key Principal: Michael D Werner See more contacts Industry: Condominium manager , Selling agent, real estate Printer Friendly View Address: 855 Campbell Lead Rd Gatlinburg, TN, 37738-4325 United States Phone: Website: www.werner.com Employees (this site): Modelled Employees (all sites): Modelled Revenue: Modelled Year Started: Incorporated: Reviews help We have been in the property rental business at the highland condos for 30 years. More Park Vista Hotel from FB. Smoke from wildfires across the Southeast, including the Chimney Top Fire, is visible from space. As TML President, Werner will lead the organization as it determines and proposes legislation that cities want passed into law. Mr. Moore said he arrived early Tuesday and, while fighting the fire in the darkness, saw orange flames burning from the center of trees, indicating a strong intensity. Smoke choked the streets, and residents were forced to evacuate the area. Michael's current home is located at Gatlinburg, TN. Jackie is such a prominent figure in our community, said Ryan DeSear, Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau Board President. We have lived in Gatlinburg for 45 years. But our familys safe, everybodys healthy, we all love each other.". Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner presents the Anderson family with the Proclamation he presented, which designated Thursday, April 27 as Arbor Day in Gatlinburg. Lived In Pigeon Forge TN. June 22, 2015 Mayor Mike Werner lost his home and business in the midst of planning next steps for the city after 2016 wildfires. We have such high relative humidity so typically our fires arent nearly this intense.. Gatlinburg, TN and Miramar Beach, FL and seven other cities are familiar to Mike. But, as I said earlier this morning, were strong, were resilient and were going to make it.. Its a different story in Gatlinburg. Because MyLife only collects this data and does not create it, we cannot fully guarantee its accuracy. He also lost his business of more than three decades. Werner fought back tears when describing the tight-knit community of Gatlinburg, a popular resort area, and the resilience of its residents. More than 10,000 people had been left without power in Sevier County. We are so fortunate to have his level of expertise in our community, and he is more than deserving of this years Zeno Wall Jr. Tourism Award. Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner elected to Tennessee Municipal League Board, on Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner elected to Tennessee Municipal League Board, Sevier County Opens COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility to 16 and Older, MAPCO Opening in Sevierville, Hiring 20+ Team Members, Sportmix Pet Foods Recalled Due to Dog Deaths, Potentially Fatal Aflatoxin Levels, Sevierville Walmart Incident was Dispute Between Armed Customers, Not Active Shooter, Gatlinburg Cancels Annual New Years Eve Fireworks Celebration, Sevier County Early Voting Opening, View Sample Ballot, Tennessee Requesting FEMA Grant to Pay $300 Unemployment Benefit, One Suspect Dead, Two Charged in Sevierville Armed Robbery after Pursuit, Shooting, Juvenile Charged with Aggravated Arson in Pigeon Forge Outlet Mall Fire, Four Persons Arrested on Felony Vandalism Charges for Sign Damage, Pigeon Forge Holding City-Wide Scavenger Hunt, Candy Giveaway, Seasonal Flu Vaccine More Important than Ever.