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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Gov. Bill Lee along with state officials including Deputy Gov. and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Butch Eley, completed the survey of storm damage in upper East Tennessee.

According to TDOT, “historic damage” was done to bridges and roadways in upper East Tennessee. Washington, Unicoi, Carter, Johnson, Greene, and Cocke counties saw the most impact.

TDOT crews are continuing to clean up and survey around the region, TDOT said.

“This is unprecedented in terms of impact to structures. We expect this to cause significant travel issues, as long-term closures will be in place across the region,” TDOT said.

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DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WSMV) – As catastrophic rainfall slammed into the eastern part of Tennessee, the Owens family was getting ready to take a nap.

That was until a phone call and a house call changed their plans.

“Our neighbor was hollering that we needed to evacuate,” Gabriell Owens said. “We didn’t know how bad it was going to be.”

Between the calls from loved ones, and the amount of police closing down local streets in their Cocke County town of Newport, they decided to pack up and evacuate.

“Not knowing if our apartment was going to get flooded or affected, not knowing how bad the town was gonna get, our friends,” Owens said. “Thinking about that people are your neighbors, and not knowing what you can do for them.”

The Owens now are in Dickson County, over three and a half hours away from their home.

“Even us being here, we can’t go home because there’s no water,” Owens said.

As they watched roads wash away, and towns they knew reduced to mud, their concerns turn to those still left behind.

“[We] didn’t know who was going to go under or come out of it,” Owens said. “There’s people who have been taking their boats out to help and they’re missing.”

They say while the main event is over, East Tennessee needs help.

As thousands of first responders, rescue squads and others mobilize to the east, they’re asking the community to donate where they can and pray for those still yet to be found.

“I prayed all night last night. I hoped everyone is okay, people make it alive out of this,” Harley Owens said.

The Owens say they’re waiting until the next week to make a decision on whether to return back. They say they’re hoping to return to help those affected and recovering.

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