KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As Helene moves into East Tennessee, we are receiving reports of wrecks, downed tree, power outages and more.
Here's the latest.
FLOODING
The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency said evacuations are expected for those near the Pigeon and French Broad Rivers.
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 tonight, it's expected to reach 22 feet. The French Broad River is at 14 feet as of 9 a.m. and is expected to reach 23 feet by 8 a.m. Saturday.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park said there is flooding at the Townsend Wye and on Cades Cove Loop Road.
ROAD CLOSURES
Hawkins County EMA has asked everyone to shelter in place due to damaging winds causing widespread road blockages.
- Highway 73 at I-25/I-75 in Cocke County
- Gemtown Road in Cocke County
- Dark Hollow Road in Cocke County
- SR 159 is closed from SR 67 to the TN/NC state line
- Cherokee Drive in Dandridge
- Fairview Road at Tazewell Pike in Knox County
- East Emory Road at Dry Gap
- Ridge Road (near Sevier Solid Waste and Tennessee National Guard Armory) in Sevier County
- New Era Road @ Apple Valley in Sevier County
- Waldens Creek at Goose Gap in Sevier County
- Waldens Creek at Old Valley in Sevier County
- 179 Whites School Road in Sevier County
- Flatwood at Pecan Lane in Sevier County
- River Divide Road at Sharp Hallow Road in Sevier County
- Summit Trails Drive and Bluff Mountain Road in Sevier County
- Jayell Road and Trail Way in Sevier County
- Henderson Road Bridge over to Battle Hill in Sevier County
- Douglas Dam Road at Farmers Mountain Lane in Sevier County
- Deep Hollow Road at Crooked Ridge in Sevier County
- Red Bank Road in Sevier County
- Bass Pro Drive at Kodak Crossing in Sevier County
- Rock Slide on the Dragon (Calderwood Highway) in Blount County
- Newfound Gap Road/US Highway 441 in GSMNP
- Cades Cave Loop in GSMNP
- Big Creek Road in GSMNP
- Forge Creek in GSMNP
- Heintooga in GSMNP
- Rich Mountain Road in GSMNP
- Greenbrier Road in GSMNP
- Upper Tremont Road in GSMNP
- Balsam Mountain Road in GSMNP
- Little River Road from Elkmont to the Townsend Wye & Wear Cove Gap Road in GSMNP
- Lake View Drive in GSMNP
- Newport Highway (tree down) in Greene County
- Marvin Road and Burkey Road in Greene County
- McCullough Cemetery Road in Hawkins County
- Bulls Gap at St. Clair Road in Hawkins County
- Hiwassee Drive in Hawkins County
- Highway 66N at Choptack Road in Hawkins County
- Carter Valley Road at Lone Oak Road in Hawkins County
- West Main Street at Cherokee and Circle Drive in Jefferson County
DOWNED TREES
TDOT is reporting large downed trees on SR 35 and SR 107 in Greene County, SR 91 and SR 261 in Carter County and SR 75 in Washington County. They're also reporting that SR 159 from SR 67 is closed near the Tennessee/North Carolina state line due to multiple trees being down in the roadway.
The Dandridge Police Department said Cherokee Drive is shut down for an unknown amount of time due to trees down across the roadway.
Knox County EMA is reporting trees down at:
- Bardon Road at Sabre Road
- Ebenezer at South Peters
- 3416 Cedar Springs
- 6521 Flint Gap
- Link/Babelay Road
- Arlie Drive/County Meadow Drive
- 6600 Union School Road
- 3106 Top Side
- 4600 Maloneyville Road
- North Molly Bright and South Molly Bright Road
- 7612 Millertown Pike
- Norris Freeway/Old Andersonville Pike
- Washington Pike/East Emory
There are also reports of power lines down at 6114 Old Washington Pike in Knox County and on Lakemore Drive in Jefferson City.
Knox County EMA said there are reports of a sinkhole at 1301 Beaman Lake. The Knoxville Utilities Board said crews are out working to clear downed power lines and restore power outages.
Helene hits East Tennessee
POWER OUTAGES
We are seeing power outages grow throughout all of East Tennessee.
As of 11:14 a.m.:
- 3,000 are without power in Knox County
- 8,000 are without power in Jefferson County
- 2,000 are without power in Greene County
- 13,000 are without power in Hawkins County
- 12,000 are without power in Hamblen County
- 2,000 are without power in Sevier County
- 4,000 are without power in Grainger County
- 2,000 are without power in Campbell County
OTHER IMPACTS
So far, NBC News has said 6 people have died due to Helene's impact—three in Georgia, two in Florida and one in North Carolina.
Authorities in McMinn County have reported two large sinkholes on SR 39. They also reported a broken waterline but authorities have not determined the cause of it.
Flights at McGhee Tyson Airport have been affected by high winds. According to the airport, seven flights have been canceled and 18 flights are delayed until further notice. The latest flight that is delayed is Delta arriving from Atlanta at 3:32 p.m.