News Summary
Chattanooga faces severe flooding after recording its second-wettest day, with 6.42 inches of rain leading to a Local State of Emergency declaration by Mayor Weston Wamp. Roads are widely closed, hindering transportation, and Hamilton County Schools have announced closures. The National Weather Service continues to issue flood warnings, urging residents to remain cautious. Emergency measures are being coordinated for public safety as affected residents seek shelter.
Chattanooga Declares Local State of Emergency Following Record-Breaking Flooding
Chattanooga is currently facing severe flooding as the city recorded its second-wettest day in history, receiving 6.42 inches of rain in just one day. The extraordinary rainfall amounts have prompted Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp to declare a Local State of Emergency and implement emergency measures in response to the hazardous weather conditions.
As a result of the flooding, road closures have become widespread, seriously disrupting transportation across the area. Among the closed roads is East Brainerd Road at Gunbarrel Road and I-24 at McBrien Road, which was initially shut down in both directions. Fortunately, traffic that had been trapped on I-24 West has been cleared, and now all lanes on I-24 East have reopened. Additionally, Hamilton County Schools have announced their closure for Wednesday, August 13, after an initial two-hour delay due to the severe weather.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued ongoing flood warnings and is urging residents to exercise caution as thunderstorms contribute to persistent heavy rainfall. The warnings will remain in effect until later Tuesday night, with a flash flood warning lasting until 10:45 PM EDT specifically for areas including Chattanooga and southeastern Hamilton County.
Emergency Measures and Public Safety Guidelines
Mayor Wamp is actively collaborating with the Director of Emergency Management, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), and the Governor’s Office to coordinate an effective response. To ensure public safety, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has advised residents to remain in safe locations and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary. The NWS continues to underscore the dangers posed by flooded roads, emphasizing the messaging to “turn around, don’t drown” to discourage unnecessary risk-taking.
The floods have resulted in numerous vehicles being stranded in high waters, with various photos and videos shared online depicting the scope of the situation throughout Chattanooga and surrounding areas. In response to the emergency, officials have established an open evacuation site at the Chris Ramsey Brainerd Recreation Center for those displaced by the flooding.
Background Context of the Flooding Situation
The rainfall that struck Chattanooga nearly doubled the usual precipitation for August in just 24 hours, illustrating the intensity and severity of the weather conditions. Multiple neighborhoods and roads across areas including Chattanooga, Ridgeside, Harrison, South Cleveland, and Red Bank are likely to experience flash flooding as thunderstorms continue to develop.
As the situation unfolds, local authorities remain vigilant and responsive, focusing on the welfare of affected residents while working to restore normalcy as swiftly as possible. Continued updates and warnings from the National Weather Service and local officials are expected as the weather conditions evolve.
Residents are urged to stay informed through official channels regarding the flooding and any further developments concerning road conditions and school closures.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Flooding Causes Problems & Evacuations
- Wikipedia: Chattanooga
- New York Times: Flooding in Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Google Search: Chattanooga flooding
- CNN: Chattanooga Rain Flood Video
- Google Scholar: Chattanooga floods
- WBIR: Heavy Rains Flooding Chattanooga
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flooding in Tennessee
- Hindustan Times: Chattanooga Flooding Chaos
- Google News: Chattanooga floods
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
