Flooding From Fred Causes Evacuation Order

Cocke County dealing with flooding this morning. Rainfall from tropical storm Fred, plus runoff and water coming from North Carolina creating headaches for Cocke County . The Pigeon River is already over its banks in areas of downtown Newport…in fact the Riverwalk behind city hall is currently underwater. A massive amount of water coming from North Carolina is a big concern…experts say that the Pigeon River could crest at a record 17 feet. Currently both the Pigeon and French Broad rivers have left their banks…water is moving very swiftly in both rivers, so if you come across flooded roads…turn around do not try to drive through. Late last night County Mayor Crystal Ottinger issued a mandatory evacuation order for those living along the Pigeon, French Broad and Nolichucky rivers in Cocke County. For those who do not have relatives to stay with temporary shelters have been set up at Bridgeport & Parrottsville schools as well as Cocke County High School and Cosby High school. The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency stated late Tuesday night that a massive amount of water is headed our way from North Carolina. Western North Carolina saw more rain and severe storms from Fred than we saw in East Tennessee…but all that water eventually makes its way from Haywood County NC to Cocke County TN. Experts say this could the worst flooding since 2004 and could be a 100 year event.