Flash Flood in Washington County, Tennessee

Flash flooding on the Nolichucky River flowed downstream from Unicoi County. This stretch of the river is a gorge that opens into the flood plain of the Bumpus Cove Road section of the town of Embreeville. Water rescue operations had begun by 9:00 am EST in Embreeville. The stream gauge in Embreeville crossed the 16 foot moderate flood stage around 9:07 am EST. Flooding of low spots along TN 107 between Embreeville and Erwin began around 9:30 am EST. By 10:00 am EST water was beginning to threaten Embreeville homes along the river on Bumpus Cove Road as the river reached 18 feet. The river reached the 20 foot major flood stage shortly after 10:30 am EST, and water was entering some of those Bumpus Cove Road homes. The river gauge at this time was destroyed. The river crested at 33.88 feet during the afternoon (as determined later by high water marks), nearly 10 feet above the previous all-time record crest. Practically every home on Bumpus Cove Road in Embreeville was destroyed. The KOA Campground was destroyed, and even its main building at the highest point in the campground near the highway was substantially damaged. The flood waters progressed downstream all day through Washington County, wiping out homes and structures and bridges and roadways and agricultural land along its path. The threats and impacts of the flood continued through the night.

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.