Thousands of trees fell in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as a result of violent thunderstorms last Thursday. (The Herald/NPS)

Great Smoky National Park crews are still in the midst of a substantial clean-up effort after the severe storms of last week blew through the park.

The violent thunder storm caused immense damage, killed two and injured several others last Thursday after it ripped through the park’s west end.

Ralph Frazier of Buford, GA was riding his motorcycle near the Townsend Wye when he was struck on the head by a falling limb. He died on the scene. Rachael Burkhart, a resident of Corryton, also died on the scene when she was struck by a falling tree in the Abrams Creek area of the park.

Several other visitors sustained injuries as a result of the storm.

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