SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — Out-of-town visitors said the waters at Greenbrier Campground got a little scary on Thursday night, but they were receding by Friday afternoon.
Melanie Ransom and her family were visiting East Tennessee from Indiana. She said during and after the storms she saw the water from the Little Pigeon River move more than 20 feet from where it was two days before.
"We were a little nervous the first night," Ransom said. "We didn't know whether to stay or go. We thought, if push comes to shove, we'll grab the dogs and take the truck, just to get out of here fast."
Florida native Richie Crile said his family planned a camping trip to East Tennessee almost a year ago.
Chile's family did see some storm damage from Hurricane Helene at home but everyone is safe.
He said the weather East Tennessee got over the past 24 hours isn't anything like what they see in Florida.
"Oh, it was a peace of cake here," Crile said. "Back at home we usually have winds at 80 miles per hour. I think last night my boys said we had 80 miles an hour winds, and it was raining sideways. So we just thank god everyone's safe."