Flash Flood — Unicoi, Tennessee

2024-09-27 to 2024-09-28 · near Erwin, Unicoi, Tennessee

Event narrative

Flooding along portions of Hwy 19 was reported at 8:00 am EST. Reports from spotters, social media, broadcast media, and county officials increased through the day, including flooded roadways at 8:51 am EST. Flooding of the Nolichucky River at the Jackson Love Hwy bridge area was noted at 9:32 am EST. Flooding of the grounds around Unicoi Hospital was happening around 10:00 am EST, when a berm was overtopped or breached. The hospital structure was taking water by 11:00 am EST, and evacuation by ground had become unsafe. Occupants were taken to the roof, but winds prevented air rescue while rapidly rising and turbulent river flooding prevented water rescue. The hospital was surrounded and inundated by waters at least 7 feet deep by 12:45 pm EST. Flood waters inundated numerous nearby properties and structures including a church, wrecked nearby portions of I-26, and caused significant damage to factories along the river downstream. Hospital occupants were at last rescued by helicopter in the afternoon. Nine known fatalities found in the county; the final three in the list were North Carolina residents, and it is unknown if they were in Unicoi county when they perished or if they were swept in from North Carolina. Most of the deaths were workers swept from a factory parking lot. Flooding impacts continued across the county through the night.

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.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.1500, -82.4200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1218675. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.