SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — The Sevier County Emergency Management Agency has been updating a list of impacted roads Wednesday, while storms swept through the area. Emergency management crews encouraged residents to stay aware of their surroundings. As rain continues, they're warning drivers not to try to cross any roads that could be flooded.
Several local police, fire and city agencies are working together to ensure people's safety. The Sevierville Fire Department readied boats and other supplies Wednesday morning, in case crews need to go out during severe weather.
"Everything's ready to go on a moment's notice and then I'll just spend the rest of the day monitoring the weather, the forecast, talking to the other city departments," said Donnie Shular, the Deputy Chief of the fire department.
He said the department learned from past flooding incidents, but nothing major is changing.
"Past flooding events have kind of told us what we need to do to get ready. In the past, if it's predicted really bad, we'll call in some extra personnel. We haven't got to that point yet," he said.
In Gatlinburg, an area prone to flooding, Seth Butler said they're doing what they can to keep people informed. He is the city's Director of Operations and Communications.
"We're no strangers to what we need to do to prepare for that. It's just this is a little bit different of a system. It's coming with a hurricane, it's a very fast-moving system. And with that's going to be some, maybe some higher winds than anticipated. We're communicating information on the city's social media channels informing the public and our visitors what conditions they can expect," Butler said.
While he said local agencies are helping spread information, it's also up to individuals to ensure they're prepared.
"We're just telling folks this is a system that's coming in, this is the timing of this system. You need to take steps now to be prepared. And also have a way to keep yourself informed as conditions change over the next two or three days," he said.