Pigeon River Rises Above Flood Stage

The River Flood Warning has been cancelled in Cocke County for the Pigeon River. The National Weather Service issued the warning on Thursday afternoon after over 2 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours. But to make matters worse, Duke Energy in North Carolina opened the flood gates at the Walters Dam in Haywood County. That sent water rushing down the Pigeon River into Cocke County including downtown Newport. The river rose to nearly 2 feet above flood stage early Thursday evening to 9.56 feet. As of 5am, the river is back below flood stage.

The storms that rolled through Wednesday and Thursday are responsible for two deaths in Tennessee. One was in Claiborne County when straight line winds brought a tree down on a car, killing a 22 year old man in Tazewell. IN Middle Tennessee, the National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-3 tornado struck in Maury County in Columbia. That tornado packed winds of 140 mph. More than 100 homes were damaged or destroyed and one person was killed. Governor Bill Lee toured the area on Thursday and said that state and federal officials are still assessing the damage to determine what assistance will be available for residents affected by that tornado.

We have a much more tranquil situation this weekend for Mothers’ Day Weekend with sunshine and cooler temperatures.