CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. — Rivers flooded over in parts of Northeast Tennessee on Friday, putting several roads underwater and endangering people in communities like Elizabethton and Johnson City.
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency until 8 p.m. EDT for several areas of Northeast Tennessee as well. Those areas include Johnson City, Elizabethton, Jonesborough, Erwin, Banner Hill, Mountain City, Shouns and Roan Mountain.
American Medical Response, Knox County's ambulance provider, said it sent three units and six workers to Elizabethton to help responders with the flood.
Knoxville leaders also said it sent multiple crews to help Carter County respond to the floods from Hurricane Helene. It said eight swift water technicians from teh Knoxville Fire Department and four Knoxville Police Department officers trained in swift water rescue were sent. The officers are also trained in search and rescue techniques.
The city also sent three boats to help first responders.
Knoxville leaders said in a release that there are several schools and churches in Carter County serving as shelters. It also said people in the area are asked to stay off the roads while crews respond to the flooding.