Rescue efforts remain ongoing in East Tennessee after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene devastated communities in upper East Tennessee. 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 response efforts due to emergency conditions 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 protective measures, including direct federal assistance for Carter, Johnson and Unicoi counties.
Direct federal assistance and reimbursement for evacuation and shelter support is available for Cocke, Hawkins, and Washington Counties.
Darryl L. Dragoo has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
Gov. Bill Lee on Friday signed an executive order requesting a Major Disaster Declaration from FEMA for victims of property damage and evacuation orders related to severe weather and flooding events.
Storm causes damage in middle, east TN
Overnight Saturday, about 100,000 east Tennessee residents were told to seek higher ground as the Nolichucky Dam in Greene County was on the brink of failure. A flash flood warning in Cocke, Greene, and Hamblen Counties in East Tennessee remains in effect until noon Saturday. Tennessee Valley Authority announced Saturday morning that the Nolichucky River has crested and the dam remains intact.
On Friday afternoon, 54 people were rescued from Unicoi County Hospital roof by helicopter after flooding left them stranded. Tennessee emergency responders and National Guard coordinated with Virginia State Police.
On Friday, the entire downtown area of Newport, Tennessee was evacuated after another dam was determined at risk of “catastrophic” failure. By Friday afternoon, authorities said it was a false alarm.
Rain showers are expected to continue across Middle Tennessee throughout Saturday and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service.
A flood watch issued for Middle Tennessee was canceled Thursday as heavy rain and flooding from Tropical Storm Helene ended Friday, according to the National Weather Service, after the hurricane remnants dumped 4.40 inches of rain on Nashville.
Metro swiftwater rescue team deploys to Carter County
Nashville’s Swiftwater Rescue Team deployed to Elizabethton, Tennessee, on Friday evening with boats, drones, and extrication tools to help with ongoing rescue efforts in flooded areas of Carter County.
The rescue team is a collaboration between the Metro Nashville Police Department and Nashville Fire Department. The team was expected to arrive late Friday.
More storm coverage:
Reach Vivian Jones at vjones@tennessean.com or on X @Vivian_E_Jones.
