Heavy Rainfall Causes Flooding
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Heavy Rainfall Causes Flooding
Courtesy of Oneida Police Department FB
By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms sweeping across the region over the weekend left portions of Scott County dealing with flooded roadways and hazardous travel conditions, prompting local officials to urge residents to stay off the roads whenever possible.
Oneida Police Chief Darryl Laxton and the Oneida Police Department issued a public warning as rising water covered roads throughout the county.
“Most back roads, side roads and even main roads are flooding,” Laxton said in a statement, urging Scott County residents to remain indoors unless travel was necessary.
The flooding has created dangerous driving conditions across the entire region, with water covering numerous roadways and making travel unpredictable.
Scott County’s flooding is part of a much larger weather event impacting communities across East Tennessee and East Kentucky. Throughout the weekend, flood warnings and high water concerns stretched across multiple counties in both states as torrential rain overwhelmed streams, creeks, and drainage systems.
Some of the most severe flooding occurred in Eastern and Central Kentucky, where communities including the city of Richmond experienced devastating flood damage. Standing water was also noted in areas of Knoxville, adding to transportation concerns across East Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation reported Sunday afternoon that heavy rainfall caused a rockslide along Hwy 90 in Campbell County, forcing road officials to close the popular route until it could be safely cleared and inspected.
As SCN goes to press, authorities continue to encourage travelers to use caution and avoid flooded areas. Authorities warn that even shallow water can conceal damaged roadways and swift moving are currents capable of carrying away vehicles.
