Our area in Northeastern TN is no where near the coast. It doesn't seem like we would impacted by Hurricanes. This September 2024, Helene brought something we will never forget into our mountains that will forever change the way we respond to Hurricane warnings. Northeast TN had heavy rainfall and flooding a couple days before Hurricane Helene made it's way to TN/NC junction. The rainfall in our area was enough in a few short days to reverse the rain deficit we had been reporting from the summer months. What we couldn't have foreseen was the torrential impact to our region and communities by the rising levels of water. The impact was devastating to our region and many lives were lost, not to mention many people are still missing.
The rains tore out bridges and sections of interstate in our area. Homes that weren't in the "flood zones" were picked up and move or crashed in the currents of rising water. In some areas the water level was increased just under 35ft. The communication grid for our area was taken down by trees and washed out by rapid waters. Water and electric were off in many areas in excess of a week. Roads washed down the mountains and hillsides. Many places in our area are still without road access and they are air flighting supplies to unreachable communities in our mountainous terrain. TVA Dams in our area were overflowing in comparison to Niagara Falls and there was concern the dams might fail.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/LFzsduCNqU2evs2g/
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/yPoHLvwQqez64bph/