The National Weather Service predicts the Nolichuckey River could crest 22 feet tomorrow. That’s an increase of more than 6 feet from yesterday’s predicted level of 15.5 feet. That would put the river two feet ABOVE flood stage and would be the highest level since 1901. The flood that washed out most of Greene County’s bridges in 1977 was 21.52 feet.

As of midday Friday, the river had reached just over 19 feet at the official Unicoi County gauging station, 10 feet higher than just 24 hours earlier. The river had risen due to heavy rains from a stalled cold front that dropped over 6 inches of rain in parts of the basin.

The forecast is subject to change and the river top level could be higher or lower depending on the exact direction of rainfall. Stay tuned this weekend for more details.