Neighbors remember a couple killed in flooding in Cocke County

NEWPORT, Tenn. (WVLT) – Two separate surges of water proved dangerous for people across East Tennessee on Friday.

In Cocke County, two people died after water quickly poured onto homes on Goodwater Road after midnight.

Sheriff CJ Ball confirmed that Mike and Jean Obrist were the two killed.

Neighbors said the couple tried to evacuate as water rushed toward their home. They and their daughter tried to get into the car and drive away.

“And moments after they tried to escape, the water was over the car,” said neighbor and Cocke County Rescue Squad member Gene Poland.

Poland said the couple's daughter was able to get out of the car and escape, but unfortunately Jean and Mike were unable to get out in time.

“I was hoping I would find him hanging in a tree, still alive, screaming, 'Get me down, get the ladder!' Something, but not the tragedy we found,” said neighbor Eric Turner, who found the couple hours after the flooding subsided Saturday morning.

Neighbors said the Colonels moved from Alaska to East Tennessee, were independent and lived off their own land.

They called the couple's loss a tragedy and urged people to take all necessary precautions as officials ask people to evacuate.

The couple is among eight reported storm-related deaths as of Monday. The Tennessee Department of Health has reported six additional deaths: one in Knox County, three in Unicoi County, one in Johnson County and one in Washington County.

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