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.

Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.

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.

Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.

Need information in Tennessee about Hurricane Helen devastation? Knox News is here to help sort things out.

We’re sharing information as we find it below.

Stay safe from floods by checking the weather warnings (we’re not out the woods yet)

Flood warnings are still in place at various locations for various reasons, and they expire at different times.

We have compiled them in one place so you can stay abreast of the changes.

Seriously: Stay off the roads if you can

North Carolina officials are continuing to advise that drivers do not go out on the roads due to the floods and the structure damage the rising water may have caused, and some of the same advice is true in Tennessee as well.

“We’re still urging people to stay at home,” said Kelse Edwards, a Communications officer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. “There’s no good ways to travel around that area, basically in the western part of the state.”

A worry is that floodwaters have destabilized the ground under roads and bridges.

Tennessee State Troopers are on duty on Interstate 40 and other roadways across East Tennessee to stop drivers from entering flooded areas.

“You do not ever need to attempt to drive across a roadway that’s flooded, turn around and don’t drown,” said Lt. Bill Miller, a public information officer for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. “Your vehicle will be swept away very quickly in current swift moving waters.”

➤ Get weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about Hurricane Helene and other weather events now

Where to get food and water in Newport

There are still some areas without power, but officials are trying to restore all power as quickly as possible, according to Newport City Administrator James Finchum.

Water access is a more challenging issue. Intake for the water system is on the French Broad River. The operations building that powers the pumps is under water. Until the water recedes, officials cannot determine how long running water will be unavailable. This is the longest time access to water has been limited, Finchum said.

Drinking water and food supplies are being passed out to those who need it at the Professional Development Center in Newport at 601 W. Broadway St. 

Hospital in Newport is at a limited capacity

Newport Medical Center is open and operating, though at a limited capacity due to the lack of water.

The emergency department, medical surgical unit, intensive care unit and labor and delivery unit are fully operational, according to Scott Williams, chief executive officer of Newport Medical Center.

Need shelter tonight in Cocke County?

The Cocke County Superintendent Manney Moore said Parrottsville Elementary School at 1901 Old Parrottsville Highway is still open as an emergency shelter. There are currently 20-25 people there and there is room to house 30 people comfortably.

Centerview Elementary School is closed. All occupants at that emergency shelter have been able to return to stay with friends or family.

The Newport Community Center at 426 Cosby Highway is also open as an emergency shelter for anyone displaced.

Check for school cancellations

Classes are canceled Monday at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, an East Tennessee community hit hard by floods.

The university campus itself will be open for other functions, but classes will not be held.

Greene County Schools will be closed all next week, Monday through Friday.

TBI establishes hotline for missing people

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has a hotline for reports of missing people: 800-TBI-FIND.

“Callers should be prepared to relay as much identifying information as possible, including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification, and last known whereabouts,” the TBI said in a news release.  

TBI will coordinate with local police on any reports sent in.

Do not call about property, the TBI said.