Cocke County expects evacuations after flooding

COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. – UPDATE (3 p.m.): All of downtown Newport will be evacuated immediately after the Walters Dam in Waterville Township, North Carolina, suffers a catastrophic failure, according to Mayor Rob Mathis.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency also said the Waterville Dam suffered a catastrophic failure. The agency said all of downtown Newport should be evacuated immediately.

The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency said evacuations are expected for those near the Pigeon and French Broad rivers.

A flash flood warning is in effect for Cocke County until 4 p.m. Friday.

Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis urged people near the rivers to move immediately, saying the situation was changing “by the minute.” A shelter is open at the Newport Community Center at 433 Prospect Avenue. Team Farrell, at 4925 Hooper Highway in Cosby, said it will also open a shelter for people in need.

The EMA said the best option for those who need to evacuate is to stay with friends or family in the area, but emergency accommodation is available if needed.

Parts of Hartford, which lies along the Pigeon River, were partially under water late Friday morning. The Tennessee Department of Transportation shared video of flooding at the Pigeon River Smokehouse on I-40.

In Newport, the Pigeon River flooded homes and businesses along Main and River Streets.

Inmates at the Cocke County Jail were evacuated to higher ground at the Cocke County Courthouse.

As of 1 p.m., Cocke County said the following roads were closed:

• I-40 East from Exit 432 to the North Carolina state line
• Highway 321 south of Wilton Springs
• Wilton Springs Road
• Middle Creek Rd
• Portions of Main Street and Broadway in Newport

Even as Tropical Storm Helene leaves the area, severe river flooding will increase through Saturday as North Carolina experiences catastrophic flooding that will flow into the French Broad and Pigeon rivers.

RELATED: Fallen trees, wreckage, flooding and power outages reported as Helene moved to East Tennessee

The Pigeon River in Cocke County has reached major flood stage, standing at 20.5 feet as of 1 p.m., the river's highest level since the 2004 floods. It has risen nearly 10 feet in the past six hours. It is expected to reach 22 feet by Friday evening.

The French Broad River was at 14 feet and rising steadily as of 9 a.m. Friday. Water is expected to reach major flood stage by Friday night and reach 23 feet by 8 a.m. Saturday.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation said ramps on and off I-40 at Exit 447 to Hartford Road were closed Friday morning after the road was flooded.

This story is ongoing and we will keep you updated as we learn more.