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    • Flood rescue efforts continue as Biden approves emergency status for Tennessee
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    Flood rescue efforts continue as Biden approves emergency status for Tennessee

    Eira Gwyneth Posted on

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    This story has been updated to include new information and new photos.

    Rescue efforts continue in northeast Tennessee after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene devastated communities in the area. Helene has caused at least 39 deaths in the Southeast since making landfall in Florida on Thursday evening.

    President Joe Biden has approved federal disaster assistance for Tennessee to supplement emergency response efforts resulting from Tropical Storm Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Saturday morning.

    FEMA is authorized to coordinate all disaster relief efforts and provide appropriate assistance to save lives and protect property.

    Federal funding is available for emergency response efforts, including direct federal assistance to Carter, Johnson and Unicoi counties.

    Direct federal assistance and reimbursements for evacuation and shelter assistance are available for Cocke, Hawkins and Washington Counties. Darryl L. Dragoo has been appointed federal coordinator for federal recovery efforts in the affected area.

    Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order Friday requiring FEMA to issue a major disaster declaration for victims of property damage and evacuation orders related to severe weather and flooding.

    Tennessee Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team crews rescued about 25 people from flooding in Unicoi County on Saturday, the Nashville Fire Department reported.

    The team includes members from the Nashville Fire Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee National Guard.

    TBI establishes hotline to report missing persons

    The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations has launched a hotline to report missing people affected by severe flooding in northeast Tennessee, the agency announced Saturday afternoon.

    To report people missing in affected areas, call 1-800-TBI-FIND. Callers should be prepared to provide identifying information, names, phone numbers, vehicle information and last known location.

    TBI asks individuals not to use the hotline to inquire about the condition of properties in the area.

    TEMA will not accept volunteers until life-saving operations are completed

    The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency will not accept volunteers or in-kind donations until life-saving operations are complete. Rescue workers warn residents not to venture into disaster areas themselves.

    Even though the heavy rains have stopped, TEMA warns that flooded areas remain potentially dangerous. Do not visit disaster areas or drive around barricades.

    Cumberland River dams, locks operating normally

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said late Friday that with increased water flows, 10 dams and four locks in the Cumberland River Basin are operating as planned and reservoirs have sufficient storage capacity for additional rainfall expected over the weekend. No flooding is expected along the Cumberland River.

    Water began flowing at Cheatham Dam near Ashland City early Friday. The J. Percy Priest Dam east of Nashville and Wolf Creek Dam in southeastern Kentucky will begin spill work Monday.

    Storm causes damage in east-central Tennessee

    Overnight Saturday, about 100,000 East Tennessee residents were urged to seek higher ground as the Nolichucky Dam in Greene County was on the verge of failure. A flash flood warning for Cocke, Greene and Hamblen counties in East Tennessee remains in effect until noon Saturday. The Tennessee Valley Authority announced Saturday morning that the Nolichucky River has reached its crest and the dam is still intact.

    On Friday afternoon, 54 people were rescued by helicopter from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital after they were stranded due to flooding. Tennessee responders and the National Guard coordinated with Virginia State Police.

    On Friday, the entire downtown area of ​​Newport, Tennessee, was evacuated after another dam was determined to be at risk of a “catastrophic” failure. On Friday afternoon, authorities said it was a false alarm.

    Rain showers are expected to continue throughout Middle Tennessee throughout Saturday and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

    A flood warning for Middle Tennessee was canceled Thursday as heavy rains and flooding from Tropical Storm Helene ended Friday after the hurricane’s remnants dumped 4.40 inches of rain on Nashville, according to the National Weather Service.

    The Metro Swiftwater Rescue Team is deployed to Carter County

    The Nashville-based Swiftwater Rescue Team was deployed to Elizabethton, Tennessee, Friday evening with boats, drones and rescue equipment to assist with ongoing rescue efforts in flooded areas of Carter County.

    The rescue team is a collaboration between the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Nashville Fire Department. The team was scheduled to arrive late Friday.

    More storm coverage:

    Reach Vivian Jones at [email protected] or on X @Vivian_E_Jones.

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    Eira Gwyneth
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