Flash Flooding Hits Parts Of Cocke County
Heavy rains caused flash flooding in the northern parts of Cocke County this morning. The hardest hit areas were Centerview, Bybee, Parrottsville and Long Creek. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain fell in just a few hours and with the ground wet from several straight days of rain, creeks and streams left their banks. In some areas, the water at times was anywhere from five to eight feet deep. Downtown Parrottsville reported flood waters at least three feet deep in some areas. That included near the Parrottsville Volunteer Fire Department. That department and several others, including agencies from outside the county responded to help people stranded in homes and vehicles.
The Cocke County Sheriff’s office has confirmed the death of a 64 year-old woman because of flood waters. The Cocke County Sheriff’s office says this was in the Centerview-Bybee area. The woman was outside her residence near her vehicle when flood waters rose quickly and she was swept away. Swift Water Rescue would later find her body. Today was her 64th birthday. The identity of that person has not yet been released.
State Route 160 was closed from Bybee Road to Fowlers Grove Road fr several hours this morning due to flooding. Several other roads in that area were also closed and several people had to be rescued from the flood waters. The Swift Water Rescue team conducted numerous water rescues for people that caught got up in rushing water in their vehicles.
In downtown Parrottsville, water was up to the gas pumps at Parrott’s Place. Some roads off of state route 340 saw flood waters. Roads in the Long Creek area were flooded as well. One woman in the Long Creek area reported seeing six foot fence posts nearly underwater.
Authorities in Cocke County are urging anyone driving in those effects areas to use caution, as some roads have been damaged by flood waters.
