3 dead, 1 missing as flooding in southern Tennessee prompts Chattanooga to declare state of emergency
According to the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, saturated ground from storms caused a large tree to fall on a car in the 1100 block of South Moore Road in East Ridge early Wednesday morning, killing two adults and a child.
Chattanooga officials said search efforts are continuing for a man last seen in floodwaters on East Brainerd Road on Tuesday night.
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Weston Wamp, the mayor of Hamilton County, Tennessee, declared a state of emergency on Tuesday evening as emergency workers conducted water rescues and floodwaters inundated dozens of roads.
Wamp said Wednesday that he met with Office of Emergency Management officials and East Ridge first responders to survey flood damage and to discuss the next steps in response and recovery.
More than 6 inches of rain fell in Chattanooga on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, the city's second-wettest day on record, as thunderstorms dropped heavy rain ahead of a cold-front that moved through the region.
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The Chattanooga Fire Department reported conducting numerous rescues, including pulling stranded drivers from vehicles and assisting residents trapped inside homes as water levels rose rapidly.
One of the hardest-hit areas appeared to be along Interstate 24 southeast of Chattanooga, where floodwaters several feet deep forced crews to close the highway in both directions.
Emergency managers said at least one storm shelter was opened at a local recreation center to assist residents displaced by the flooding.
"Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads," the NWS said in its Flash Flood Warning bulletin. "Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life."
First responders urged drivers to avoid flooded roadways, especially during nightfall when water depths are harder to gauge.
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, while a foot of floodwater can cause most vehicles to stall and even be carried away.
The FOX Forecast Center attributed the deluge to abundant moisture streaming northward from the Gulf, combined with the hilly terrain of the southern Appalachian region, which can enhance convection.
Know Your Flood Terminology: What Flood Watches, Warnings And Emergencies Really Mean
The storms responsible for Tuesday's flooding were part of a broader unsettled pattern across the Southeast that is expected to persist for a few more days.
More periods of heavy thunderstorms are expected Wednesday, according to the NWS office in Morristown. A flood watch remains in effect through Wednesday for parts of southwest North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.
Once the precipitation departs, forecasters expect temperatures to climb, with highs reaching the 90s and heat indexes approaching 100 degrees.Original article source: 3 dead, 1 missing as flooding in southern Tennessee prompts Chattanooga to declare state of emergency
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