Flash Flood — Cocke, Tennessee

2025-06-18 · near Grassy Fork, Cocke, Tennessee

Event narrative

Interstate 40 was closed by flooding and debris near mile marker 451, just west of the North Carolina state line. Multiple vehicles were stranded and water rescues were ongoing.

Wider weather episode

A handful of strong thunderstorms moved north out of Alabama and northern Georgia the afternoon of June 18th, affecting southeast Tennessee and areas in the east Tennessee mountains near the Great Smoky Mountains and Interstate 40. A few thunderstorms trained along the spine of the Smoky Mountains, producing flash flooding and a mudslide that impacted Interstate 40 just east of Hartford. These impacts compounded the damage further east on Interstate 40 inflicted by Hurricane Helene.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.7889, -83.1075)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1264309. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.