COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency said evacuations are expected for those near the Pigeon and French Broad Rivers.
A shelter is open at the Newport Community Center at 433 Prospect Avenue.
The EMA said the best option for those who have to evacuate is to stay with friends or family in the area, but the shelter is available if needed.
Parts of Hartford, which is along the Pigeon River, were partially underwater as of late Friday morning. The Tennessee Department of Transportation shared video of flooding overtaking the Pigeon River Smokehouse off I-40.
Cocke County Jail inmates were evacuated to higher ground into the Cocke County Courthouse.
Rivers Expected to Flood Near-Record Levels
Even though Tropical Storm Helene is moving out of the area, severe river flooding levels will increase into Saturday because of the catastrophic flooding happening in North Carolina that will flow down into the French Broad and Pigeon rivers.
RELATED: Fallen trees, wrecks, flooding and power outages reported as Helene moves into East Tennessee
The Pigeon River in Cocke County has reached a major flood stage and is at 16 feet as of 10:54 a.m. It's risen four feet in three hours. By Friday night, it's expected to reach 22 feet.
The French Broad River was at 14 feet as of 9 a.m. Friday and was steadily rising. It is expected to reach major flood stage by Friday night and is forecast to crest at 23 feet by 8 a.m. Saturday.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the ramps on and off of I-40 were closed at Exit 447 to Hartford Road Friday morning after the road flooded.
This story is ongoing and we will update you as we learn more.