Emergency Officials Warn Of Hazardous Road Conditions After Heavy Rain

Area emergency officials are advising residents to be cautious after heavy rain swept through the Upper Cumberland Wednesday.

Putnam County EMA Director Tyler Smith said several roads are still flooded creating potentially hazardous conditions.

“If you do come across a road that’s got water over it and you cannot see the road, please do not cross those areas,” Smith said. “We say turn around, don’t drown. Hopefully as the rain tapers off the water will subside. We’ve got another round of rain coming up Thursday through the weekend. We want everybody to be prepared for that also.”

Heavy rains have closed a portion of Highway 84 in White County between West Rhea Street and Wagoner Street. TDOT Spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn reports officials hope to have the road reopened by Thursday afternoon at the earliest.

In addition, Jackson County officials have closed Dodson Branch Highway due to flooding near Blackburn Fork Road. EMA Public Information Officer Derek Wolbright said drivers traveling from Gainesboro to Dodson Branch will need to seek alternate routes.

White County Sheriff Steve Page said trees and power lines are being affected by the high water.

“The ground’s getting more and more saturated, so the trees are just sliding, and coming out of the ground falling on the power lines,” Page said. “If anyone sees anything like that, call 911. Avoid it and do not try to cross in that area.”

Overton Assistant EMA Director Eric Stevens said crews will be monitoring several roadways as more rain moves toward the area.

“We have flooding issues near Airport Road. The county is currently watching Cub Mountain because the road’s kind of sliding a bit,” Stevens said. “We have issues of flooding on Flat Creek and Dogwalk Road intersection. We have some flooding on Cliff Springs Road, Cravenstown Road, and flooding near the Three Forks Church, there’s pretty good standing water there.”

The National Weather Service forecast indicates rain will continue into Wednesday evening, then again between Thursday night into Saturday night.