Knoxville, Tenn. – Flash flooding is turning roads into rivers across East Tennessee Wednesday afternoon as intense storms dump more than 3 inches of rain in cities including Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Bristol. The most dangerous window is between 2 and 4 p.m., when radar shows storms training over already saturated ground.
According to the National Weather Service in Morristown, flash flood warnings are in effect for multiple counties, with emergency reports confirming flooded roads and vehicles stranded in parts of Knox and Hamilton counties. Rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour are expected to continue into the mid-afternoon.
In Chattanooga, the hardest-hit zones include East Brainerd, Ooltewah, and Highway 153 near the Tennessee River. In Knoxville, Bearden, East Towne, and several I-40 underpasses are flooding quickly. Emergency managers are urging residents to avoid travel if possible.
To the northeast, Sullivan and Johnson counties near Bristol are also under warnings, with some rural creeks overflowing into neighborhoods. With additional storms likely to pop up through late afternoon, flood alerts could expand.
Residents should not attempt to cross water-covered roadways. Flash flood warnings are expected to remain in effect through at least 4 p.m., with more updates possible later today.
