Nine days of rain has left Knoxville and surrounding areas under water.
Knoxville received 3 inches of rain in a short period of time Saturday morning, with some areas measuring more than 3 inches. The area could receive up to 2 more inches of rain over the next few hours.
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency for Knoxville and the Knox County area Saturday. It remains in effect until 1:30 p.m. EST. Emergency management reported the flash flooding in the area.
Locations that are most effected by the rain include: Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Alcoa, Farragut, Louisville, Plainsview, Halls, Blaine, Karns, Kimberlin Heights, House Mountain State Park, Lake Forest, Maloneyville, Mascot, Bearden, Powell and Seymour.
The Knoxville Police Department tweeted at 12:30 p.m. that they are operating on a “Severe WX plan” where they will only respond to motorist crashes that involve injuries. If there are any other minor accidents where injuries are not sustained, the KPD said that motorists should exchange their information and call their insurance companies.
Flood waters close roads, Zoo Knoxville
Because of the rain, many roads throughout the Knox County area are not safe to drive through and will remain this way until the water recedes to safer levels.
KPD issued several road closures on their Twitter as of noon, including the following list:
–Cedar Bluff at Dutchtown Road
–Mineral Springs at Walker Blvd
–Cedar Lane at Knox Road
–Mildred Drive at Woodhaven Drive
–Concord at the railroad track crossings
–Helmbolt Road at Creekhead Drive
–Middlebrook Pike at Third Creek Road
–Black Oak at Oak
–Hall of Fame at Sixth Street
–Broadway at McCroskey
–Beverly at Oakland
–Chapman Highway near Dick Ford
–Broadway at Walker Blvd
–Walker Blvd at Whittle Springs
–Ault and Shangri la
–Hollywood Road at Kelly
–Carnation at Clifton
–McKamey and Matlock
–Hollywood and Sutherland
–Sutherland at Papermill
–Sutherland and Concord
–Kingston Pike at Downtown West
Around 1 p.m., KPD tweeted that 98 roads were closed and it is expected that the number will grow.
A photo circulated social media via the Knoxville News Sentinel of a firetruck partially submerged by flood water near a Kroger in Fountain City.
Knoxville resident David “Dave” Bolt shared a photo on his Instagram of flooding on Hollywood Road.
SERVPRO of Rocky Hill, Sequoyah Hills, South Knoxville shared a video on its Facebook page of flooding near its office.
Zoo Knoxville closed Saturday due to flooding in the western portion of its property, which was affecting power.
“Rest assured that all animals are safe and dry and not at risk,” the zoo said in a Tweet.
The Knoxville Fire Department shared water rescues on its Twitter, reporting one rescue of residents from a van on Concord Street.
Advice for rainy weather
If you have to drive today, the KPD and National Weather Service advise drivers to drive slowly and allow extra following distance.
Drivers are also advised to not attempt to cross any standing water, as drivers may not be aware how deep the flooding goes or what could be under the water on the roadway.
The KPD tweeted: “Never cross standing water from flooding. Turn around, don’t drown!”
However, for severe weather and flash flooding, the recommended action is to stay inside and move to higher ground as the situation is extremely dangerous and life-threatening.
Rainy nine days expected to end on Sunday
Rain is expected into the afternoon hours, with thunderstorms expected overnight.
“Some areas may catch a little bit of a break at times today,” meteorologist Shea Sorenson said. “Just don’t expect a whole lot of breaks.”
The sun is predicted to finally peek through the clouds on Sunday, with a high of 61 and partly cloudy skies expected. There is not a chance of rain.
Rain doesn’t creep back into the forecast until later this week, with a 30 percent chance of scattered showers on Friday. Temperatures for the week are relatively mild with a high of 53 expected on Monday, a high of 58 on Tuesday, a high of 57 on Wednesday, a high of 55 on Thursday and a high of 56.
The Daily Beacon will continue to update our readers on road and weather conditions as new information is made available.
