There are four weather related deaths in Tennessee in the aftermath of Hurricane Helena.
At least 93 deaths have been reported across 6 states.
The confirmed deaths are out of Johnson and Unicoi counties. A list of missing people is being compiled by TBI and TEMA, at least 70 people are missing out of Unicoi County as of Sunday afternoon.
As a result of flooding from the Nolichucky River, rescuers found a casket floating through the debris and are working to identify the person.
Anyone unable to get in touch with a friend or loved one in the affected area is asked to call 423-560-0261. A donation collection center had been established at Southside FWB Church in Erwin.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation says 14 state bridges are closed, five of those are completely destroyed by recent storms caused by Helene.
The repair contracts to reconnect affected communities are underway, some will begin as early as tomorrow (Monday).
As water levels begin to fall additional issues are being found.
TEMA, National Guard and TDOT are all working together. 27 sections of roadways are affected.
TDOT Deputy Commissioner & Chief Engineer Will Reid says much of the work TDOT crews have focused on so far is recovery efforts and assisting local agencies.
Reid says TDOT has over 300 employees in the field across Region 1 to assess the damage and inspect bridges in preparation for repairs. He says TDOT has other Regions assisting in this recovery effort.
“Although we are getting some contracts ready for repair, we are still in the debris removal and assessment phase,” Reid said. “We have inspected over 100 bridges in the last 36 hours over seven counties. We still have hundreds to go. We are still working to assess the magnitude of this rainfall event,” Reid continued. “This event is in excess of a 500-year event, which what that means is we design our interstate bridges over hydraulic crossings for 100-year events. So, these are truly historic numbers we are seeing.”
They say 1.2 million gallons per second flowed over the Nolichucky Dam Friday, but thankfully the dam did not fail. To put that in perspective, there are 700 thousand gallons per second at Niagara Falls at it’s peak.
TDOT says they are concentrating their efforts on I-40 between mile marker 443 and 451 at the Tennessee North Carolina Line.
Also, I 26 between mile marker 40 and 43 and State route 81 in Unicoi County.
Photo courtesy of TDOT Cocke County
Sunday, September 29, 2024 | 04:42pm Courtesy of TDOT
Memphis, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Strike Force team and bridge inspection crews have been dispatched to East Tennessee to assist with recovery and repairs following historic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
Region 4’s bridge inspection team is inspecting impacted bridges with high water, assessing the erosion of soil around its piers and abutments due to water flow. Scour can weaken the bridge’s structural integrity. Proper evaluation is critical for ensuring the bridge’s safety, and having the extra team members in place will allow the inspection teams to cover more ground, potentially opening any closed routes.
Our Strike Force team is a specialized group that can deploy quickly in a disaster with the equipment needed. This team is made up of emergency responders, engineers, and transportation experts who work to remove debris and ensure public safety. The goal of this team is to provide immediate relief and begin the recovery process in flood-affected communities.
While West Tennessee experienced localized flooding and downed trees, the damage in East Tennessee is vast. Damage statistics on state roadways as of midday Sunday, September 29 are as follows:
• 27 state roadway sections closed
• 14 state bridges closed
• Five state bridges destroyed
While there is no immediate timeframe for full repairs, TDOT’s current priority is ensuring public safety and reconnecting communities that have been severed due to damage. Photos for media of Region 4’s work in East Tennessee are below (please courtesy TDOT).
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
The Move Over Law was passed in 2006. The penalty for violating the law in Tennessee carries the possibility of up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of up to $500.
We are collecting donations for those affected by flooding in East Tennessee with the help of Morristown’s Southern Freight Services, a tractor trailer will be at our station tomorrow (Monday) from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., they need toiletries, bottled water, and dry goods which will be distributed to those in need.
Meanwhile, they will also have a semi stationed at ProTeam Auctions in White Pine for those who are wanting to make donations, but live closer to that area.
Cumulus Media Knoxville is located at 4711 Old Kingston Pike in Knoxville, TN 37919. Some of our stations will be doing live broadcasts throughout the day. WOKI, Newstalk987, will be live from 6a – noon.
Thank you for listening and for anything you can do to help our neighbors affected by flooding caused by Helene.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT / WOKI) – On Saturday, the Knox County Emergency Management Agency issued an urgent notice to residents in communities along the French Broad River in East Knox County.
Officials said flooding is anticipated along the river due to more water being released from Douglas Dam.
“The release of water is necessary to maintain the integrity of the dam as water flows downstream from affected areas in Northeast Tennessee,” KEMA said.
As more water is released from Douglas Dam, officials said the French Broad River is projected to rise 2-2.5 feet for the next 2-3 days.
Officials said residents in the affected areas are asked to take the following precautions:
Stay informed by monitoring emergency response agencies in the area.
Be prepared for potential flooding and possible evacuation.
Avoid driving through flooded areas, as it can be difficult to gauge the depth of the water and the condition of the road.
If an evacuation is recommended, officials said emergency response agencies and KEMA will notify the affected communities as quickly as possible.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee surveyed storm damage and met with local officials in upper East Tennessee Saturday afternoon.
Lee was accompanied by Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Director Patrick Sheehan, Senator Marsha Blackburn and other state officials in Blountville.
“There’s a great deal of damage, a great deal of heartache and a great deal of work to be done,” Lee said. “It is heartbreaking to see it. It’s heartening to see the folks come together to start already to reach out to their neighbors and help.
“There’s a lot of work to do, but we’re getting started,” Lee continued. “There is a lot of damage out there and there are bridges out. We’ve seen those. There are roads that are impassable now, so that isolates people for certain.”
“I am heartbroken by the devastating damage in East Tennessee caused by the horrific storm,” Blackburn said. “Thank you to our first responders, Tennessee National Guard, TEMA, and the countless other agencies that have been working around the clock to rescue Tennesseans.”
This comes after heavy rain from Hurricane Helene moved through East Tennessee, including trapping dozens of people on the Unicoi County Hospital roof.
On Saturday, FEMA announced federal disaster assistance was available for state and eligible local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in Cocke, Hawkins and Washington counties.
In Cocke County – The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is claiming that Walters Dam, otherwise known as Waterville Dam, has not failed. TEMA is citing the dam’s owner, Duke Energy.
It comes just about an hour after Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis said the dam had suffered a “catastrophic failure.”
“THE WATERVILLE DAM HAS SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE,” Mathis posted to Facebook. “EVACUATION ALL OF DOWNTOWN NEWPORT IMMEDIATELY.”
It’s important to note that both Mathis and TEMA are standing by the evacuation order.
The evacuation notice came as heavy rain brought on by the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding all over Cocke County, especially in areas near the Pigeon River and French Broad River.
According to the United States Geological Survey, both rivers normally sit below five feet. As of 9 p.m., the Pigeon River was sitting at 27.33 feet. As of 9:45 p.m., the French Broad River was sitting at 23.31 feet.
WVLT News reached out to Duke Energy for an update:
Duke Energy currently has all gates open at the Waterville Dam and continues to pass water through the dam. Duke Energy can confirm that both the dam and our floodgates are performing as expected. Hurricane Helene produced historic rainfall over the past 48 hours across much of the Carolinas. We urge people living along our lakes and rivers or in flood-prone areas to use caution, stay informed and follow the directions of state and county emergency management. They should also watch for emergency notification messages on their mobile phones. Duke Energy
As for the dam itself, the Army Corps of Engineers keeps an inventory of dams across the country.
The National Inventory of Dams lists Walters Dam as “high” for potential hazards.
It’s the latest in a series of updates from Mathis about emergency conditions in Cocke County.
“All county and city emergency resources are currently fully engaged in water rescue and evacuation operations,” Mathis said earlier in the day Friday. “We are still several hours from the expected high-water mark. Thank you to all of our emergency responders for their heroic efforts today and in the days to come.”
The situation, not just in Cocke County but across all of Eastern Tennessee, prompted a response from Gov. Bill Lee.
“As Tennessee continues to experience severe weather and flooding from Hurricane Helene, we are monitoring conditions and urge Tennesseans to follow local guidance for key resources, safety information and community updates,” Lee said. “Maria and I continue to pray for all impacted Tennesseans.”
Friday afternoon, Cocke County Sheriff CJ Ball said there have been over 50 rescue attempts in the county with no reported fatalities. Additionally, Ball said a fire truck, a rescue squad truck and seven cruisers with the sheriff’s office have been lost in the flooding.
There is also a shelter open at the Newport Community Center (433 Prospect Ave.) for those living north of Wilton Springs. The Liberty Church in Cosby was designated as the evacuation center for those south of Wilton Springs.
Mathis has also declared a state of emergency in Cocke County.
As for other dams in East Tennessee, the Tennessee Valley Authority issued a Condition Yellow for the Nolichucky Dam in Greene County out of an abundance of caution.
According to TVA, a Condition Yellow means the dam is approaching its threshold to withstand excessive floodwater. However, officials emphasized that the dam structure has not failed.
NASHVILLE – EAST TENNESSEE (TBI / WOKI)- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has established a hotline to coordinate reports of missing persons in the areas affected by the recent severe flooding impacting parts of East Tennessee.
Those wishing to report missing individuals believed to be in the affected areas across East Tennessee may contact 1-800-TBI-FIND. Callers should be prepared to relay as much identifying information as possible, including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification, and last known whereabouts. Recognizing the importance of accounting for individuals who may be missing, the TBI urges the public to refrain from calling to inquire about the status of personal properties in the affected areas.The information gathered by the TBI will be immediately available to law enforcement authorities in the response area for further follow-up.
GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park staff continue to assess conditions after the park experienced historic flooding and other impacts from Hurricane Helene.
Visitors are encouraged to reschedule their trips for their own safety. Hiking and backcountry travel are not recommended due to the unpredictability of creek crossings, potential of downed trees and other hazardous trail conditions. Park staff will evaluate trails once roads are safely assessed.
The following areas and facilities reopened the morning of Sept. 28:
Kingston, TN (WOKI) Two people are being investigated by the Kingston Police Department for trying to steal an ATM.
Kingston Police Department officials say officers went to an Enrichment Federal Credit Union on Bradford Way around 6:00 a.m. Thursday morning, finding that two people had tried to pry the ATM from the wall using a truck with tow straps.
Police say a few minutes later, a truck with tow straps attached to it was found in a nearby parking lot unattended; officers determined that the truck was stolen out of Knox County.
According to the department, all the money from the ATM was accounted for. Those with information are being asked to call Roane Central Dispatch at 865-354-8045.
Suspects try to break into ATM with tow straps, Kingston police say. (Courtesy: KPD)
Cocke County, TN (WVLT) The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is claiming that Walters Dam, otherwise known as Waterville Dam, has not failed. TEMA is citing the dam’s owner, Duke Energy.
It comes just about an hour after Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis said the dam had suffered a “catastrophic failure.”
“THE WATERVILLE DAM HAS SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE,” Mathis posted to Facebook. “EVACUATION ALL OF DOWNTOWN NEWPORT IMMEDIATELY.”
It’s important to note that both Mathis and TEMA are standing by the evacuation order.
The evacuation notice comes as heavy rain brought on by the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding all over Cocke County, especially in areas near the Pigeon River and French Broad River.
According to the United States Geological Survey, both rivers normally sit below five feet. As of noon, the Pigeon River was sitting at 20.57 feet. As of 12:45 p.m., the French Broad River was sitting just under 17 feet.
The dam is owned by Duke Energy. WVLT News has reached out for the latest information, however the company’s website is also providing some insight into the dam’s status.
Spillway gates are open at the Waterville Dam. Expect dangerous high flow conditions downstream of Waterville Dam and Walters hydro station. WARNING: High flows and the natural environment of the bypassed reach can create dangerous conditions. As always, we encourage residents living along rivers, streams and other lower lying and flood-prone areas to pay special attention to changing weather conditions and take any necessary precautions. – Duke Energy
As for the dam itself, the Army Corps of Engineers keeps an inventory of dams across the country.
The National Inventory of Dams lists Walters Dam as “high” for potential hazards.
It’s the latest in a series of updates from Mathis about emergency conditions in Cocke County.
“All county and city emergency resources are currently fully engaged in water rescue and evacuation operations,” Mathis said earlier in the day Friday. “We are still several hours from the expected high-water mark. Thank you to all of our emergency responders for their heroic efforts today and in the days to come.”
The situation, not just in Cocke County but across all of Eastern Tennessee, prompted a response from Gov. Bill Lee.
“As Tennessee continues to experience severe weather and flooding from Hurricane Helene, we are monitoring conditions and urge Tennesseans to follow local guidance for key resources, safety information and community updates,” Lee said. “Maria and I continue to pray for all impacted Tennesseans.”
There is also a shelter open at the Newport Community Center (433 Prospect Ave.) for those living north of Wilton Springs. The Liberty Church in Cosby was designated as the evacuation center for those south of Wilton Springs.
TEMA also provides a list of emergency shelters throughout the state. That’s available here.
Mathis has also declared a state of emergency in Cocke County.
The announcement comes as the remnants of Hurricane Helene bring heavy rain to areas of East Tennessee. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A University of Tennessee student has been charged with attempted murder after an “altercation” with another student.
Officials with the university’s police department say 19-year-old Michael Francis assaulted another student around 3:00 a.m. Friday morning inside one of UT’s residence halls.
UTPD says the other student, who has not been identified, was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Francis, who was also charged with criminal trespass, has been booked into the Knox County Regional Jail.
The University of Tennessee campus (Courtesy: WVLT)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI/WVLT) – United States District Judge John Broomes has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett.
The lawsuit stems from a February shooting in Kansas City following the Chief’s Super Bowl victory.
1 person died, 22 injured including minors in shooting following Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade.
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court in Kansas in March by Denton Loudermill, Jr., says Burchett shared photos of Loudermill on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming he was one of the shooters and an “illegal alien.”
The lawsuit says Loudermill attended the parade and was told by police in the moments after the shooting he was moving “too slow” when he tried to go under police tape to leave the area.
He was then handcuffed and sat on a curb for about 10 minutes before being unhandcuffed and told by police he was “free to go,” the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit further says Burchett removed the post referring to Loudermill as an “illegal alien,” but he made another post with the image that misidentified him as “one of the shooters.”
The lawsuit also says Loudermill has received death threats and suffered mental distress from being falsely identified as an “illegal alien” and “shooter.”
Burchett has now submitted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing the federal court in Kansas does not have jurisdiction.
In the motion, it is argued that Burchett didn’t know Loudermill or that he was a resident of the State of Kansas.
“Mr. Burchett’s reposting of an image of [Loudermill] already seen by millions of people did not place [Loudermill] in a false light and certainly does not establish jurisdiction. Neither Mr. Burchett’s February 15th post nor his retraction made on the 19th of February were directed at the State of Kansas in any way. Further, those posts were not intended or expected to cause injury in Kansas,” the motion says.
The motion continues by saying Burchett “did not engage in any intentional act which was ‘expressly aimed’ at the State of Kansas with ‘knowledge that the brunt of the injury would be felt there.”
According to the motion, the venue is not appropriate in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas because it occurred outside of the state.
Loudermill aksed for $75,000 in damages for acts considered “willful, wanton, reckless and malicious,” according to the lawsuit.
