Overton County Bracing for More Flooding

Overton County crews are working to lower water levels across the area before more rain moves through the region.

Overton Assistant EMA Director Eric Stevens said flood water in Livingston and the rest of the county has receded in most areas. However, parts of Bradford Hicks Drive still remain partially closed.

“We’re still trying to lower the water levels. We’re currently trying to obtain some more pumps and we’re trying to through Tennessee Emergency Management,” Stevens said. “As floods and rain start over, we’re going to see a rise in the water levels there once again. So we ask anyone that can avoid the Bradford Hicks intersection around the four-way caution light to avoid that area.”

Stevens said county workers are trying to address some of the flooding issues Thursday in preparation for more rainfall later in the week.

“The road departments were trying to clean out ditches and try to help areas that have flooded but maybe won’t flood,” Stevens said, “but there is a high potential, high risk that these areas may flood again. Especially when we’re forecast for 2-4 inches of rain and local amounts are higher, that’s the latest we’ve heard from the National Weather Service. We could have new areas that flood depending on when the rain falls at certain times. Anyone that has to be out on the roadways, please use caution.”

High flood waters caused law enforcement to reroute traffic at the intersection of Bradford Hicks Drive and Highway 52 in Livingston Wednesday.

Stevens said Cedar Chapel Road in southern Overton County remains closed due to high water.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Livingston and Overton County through Saturday evening.