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 urged people near the Pigeon and French Broad Rivers to evacuate.
The Pigeon River and the French Board rivers rose high enough to effectively meet, endangering areas of Hartford and Newport. The Cocke County Sheriff said authorities are only responding to emergency calls, and urged people to stay home during teh night.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park said there is flooding at the Townsend Wye and on Cades Cove Loop Road.
The Little Pigeon River, which runs through downtown Gatlinburg, is expected to reach flood stage. It could flood parking lots of various dining and entertainment venues along the river.
ROAD CLOSURES
The Tennessee Department of Transportation said effectively all roads in upper East Tennessee should be considered potentially hazardous due to the flooding, and people should avoid traveling in these areas unless they're trying to get to higher ground. The department said "many roads and bridges" in the area were compromised due to severe weather.
- 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
- 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 officials are reporting trees down and power lines down at:
- Power lines at 6411 Old Washington Pike
- Power lines at Murphy Ave/Marion
- Tree at 5142 Buckhead Trail
- Tree at Corryton Rd/E Emory Rd
- Tree at 3312 Weaver Cemetery Rd
- Power lines at 5516 Holston Dr
- Power lines at 139 S Van Gilder
- Power lines at Coster/E Inskip
- Tree at 5055 N Broadway
- Tree at 131 Van Gilder
- Power lines at W Gov. John Sevier/Mountain Grove
- Tree at Dutch Valley Drive
The Knoxville Utilities Board said crews are out working to clear downed power lines and restore power outages.
Effects of Hurricane Helene across East Tennessee
POWER OUTAGES
We are seeing power outages grow throughout all of East Tennessee.
As of 7:25 p.m.:
- 4,800 are without power in Jefferson County
- 6,047 are without power in Knox County
- 5,000 are without power in Greene County
- 10,142 are without power in Hawkins County
- 1,100 are without power in Hamblen County
- 1,514 are without power in Hancock County
- 4500 are without power in Grainger County
- 3,700 are without power in Campbell County
- 4,200 are without power in Cocke County
- 4,200 are without power in Claiborne County
OTHER IMPACTS
So far, NBC News has said dozens of people have died due to Helene's impact.
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.