High Wind — Hamblen, Tennessee

2024-09-27 · Hamblen, Tennessee

Event narrative

A high wind event from Helene felled roughly 100 trees within Panther Creek State Park, leading to multiple trail closures. A few swaths of trees down were observed, with one swath estimated to be over 100 yards long. At 8:10 AM LST, a 52 mph wind gust was measured at Morristown Airport, matching time when the western half of the city lost power, including the Morristown WFO. At 9:05 AM LST, Hamblen County headquarters measured a 45 mph wind gust. Most of Panther Creek Park's wind damage occurred at higher elevations within the park.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Helene caps off a several day heavy rainfall event in association with a stalled closed upper low that drew a stream of tropical moisture into the area on the 25th and 26th. The arrival of Helene on the 27th yielded catastrophic flash flooding and river flooding, as well as significant wind damage as wet soils and strong wind gusts led to forest damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1217984. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.