Flood — Cocke, Tennessee

2024-09-27 to 2024-09-29 · near Liberty Hill, Cocke, Tennessee

Event narrative

Flooding on the Cocke County side from the massive flood wave on the Nolichucky River near Lowland. The Lowland river gauge was above its previous record crest for nearly 20 hours, cresting at 35.16 feet at 10:15 am EST on the 28th, 9 feet above its previous record. Damaging flooding occurred, but in mostly rural and agricultural areas. As the river swelled out of its banks in the area where it becomes the border between Greene and Cocke counties, it flooded Goodwater Road around midnight where an elderly couple were swept away in their vehicle trying to escape. All told, Cocke County estimates $24.3 million in total county damages, which are included in the entry for the Pigeon River record flooding.

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 → (36.1077, -83.0873)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1218840. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.