Remnants of Hurricane Helene are expected to cause intense weather conditions and severe damage for the Tri-Cities area, especially between the late hours of Thursday night and Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
Consistent rain is likely throughout the night. Conditions are expected to worsen after midnight. At around 4 a.m., weather conditions will “dramatically increase in intensity,†said NWS meteorologist Charles Dalton in Morristown.
The NWS has issued a high wind warning from 8 p.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday. Sustained winds of up to 30 miles per hour are very likely in the Tri-Cities with wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour. Those in higher elevations could see gusts of up to 80 miles per hour, Dalton said.
The Tri-Cities can expect between 1 and 2 inches of rain Thursday night into Friday, said Dalton, with “a few more inches†likely in the mountains.
There is a possibility of a tornado northeast of Morristown and in nearby Virginia counties, Dalton said, but the chances are low. Dalton said that an EF1 tornado touched down in Kyles Ford, in Hancock County, earlier this week.
Dalton also said that hail is unlikely given the tropical nature of the storm.
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Director Patrick C. Sheehan said his biggest concern for the Tri-Cities is flash flooding and high winds.
“If you know your home floods, this would be a great time to make other arrangements†to stay elsewhere for Thursday night, said Sheehan.
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ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Public Works performed maintenance to storm drains throughout Thursday to try and ensure that debris does not clog them up, especially once the weather becomes more severe, according to its assistant director, Andy Best.
“Whether you know it or not, flooding is the second-leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S.,†Best said. “It doesn't take a whole lot of water to lift a vehicle or a person, so don't walk or drive through stuff.â€
Six inches of water can knock a person over if it is flowing and 18 inches is enough to cause a car to float away, Best warned.
If a stream is overflowing or there are large puddles, “you don't know what's under the water,†Best said.
Anyone who comes across such obstacles in the road should contact ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Public Works or call the police, he said.
Washington County
During the day Thursday, Washington County Highway Superintendent Richard Thompson traveled the roads to monitor water levels in streams around the county. He found them to be flowing “within their banks.â€
He said the question will be what happens when the next round of heavy rain hits the region. Thompson said of particular concern will be the amount of rain that might fall on the mountains in North Carolina.
“We will be keeping an eye on the Nolichucky River,†he said.
Thompson said crews from the Washington County Highway Department will be on standby, but noted the department is often limited in what it can actually do during a flood.
“We will take it as it comes,†he said.
The highway superintendent says the best advice he can give to motorists is to stay home during flood conditions.
Carter County
Elizabethton Electric Department reported about 40 power outages from tree falls on Thursday. There were scattered outages until midnight, followed by more outages at 3:30 a.m.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) said that Watauga Lake could reach record or near record levels during the current rain spell.
Watauga Lake measured 1,954.6 feet above sea level at 4 p.m., 4.4 feet below the 1,959 feet needed to be considered at full pool. That measurement marked an increase of 1.1 feet since 9 a.m. The midnight elevation was projected to be 1,958.39. By the time it reaches its forecast-high level this weekend, the water level is expected to be at 1,973.03, or 14 feet above full pool.
A TVA press release said 4 to 8 inches of rainfall have been observed in tributary reservoirs, especially at the higher elevations. Additional rainfall totals of between 6 to 12 inches are expected in some areas.
The TVA advised those with shoreline interests to be prepared for rising lake levels. Areas below dams should also see higher-than-normal levels as localized flash flooding occurs, as well as due to the need to release water from the dams.
Johnson County
Johnson County emergency operations officials emphasized the seriousness of the storm moving through the area Thursday.
“The rain keeps on falling, and we are preparing for a repeat of last night,†said Johnson County Emergency Management Director Jason Blevins.
With the already saturated ground, Mountain City and Johnson County conditions are as bad as those reported in most places across the region.
The water has been receding, but Blevins urged residents not to let their guards down.
“Multiple roads within the county are water covered, and it could get worse, but with the forecast of more rain pushing through the night, coupled with possible high winds, it's not the time to be complacent,†Blevins said. “Several homes had to be evacuated due to dangerous water conditions.â€
Johnson County Emergency Management posted a warning early Thursday on social media.
“Unless absolutely necessary, travel should be avoided. Conditions will likely worsen and more rain is expected along with wind tonight.†It advised residents to monitor weather bulletins from the NWS.
There were reports of rescue operations out of Mountain City by Thursday afternoon, according to TEMA Director Sheehan.
Staff writers Robert Houk, Tamas Mondovics and John Thompson contributed to this report.
