LIST: Evacuations, shelters, curfews in Northeast TN & Southwest VA

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The effects of Hurricane Helene have struck all parts of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Flooding has occurred throughout the region, leading to evacuations and the activation of shelters.

Below, community members can find updates on open shelters, curfews and/or active evacuations in the region.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) posted an updated road closure map at 9:15 p.m. that can be viewed here.

The Greene County Tennessee Sheriff’s Department announced that TDOT approved the reopening of the 321 River Bridge. There are reportedly plans to reopen the Asheville Highway River Bridge shortly.

Greene County

Mayor Kevin Morrison and Sheriff Wesley Holt informed the community of a countywide curfew from 9 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday due to downed trees and 3 bridges in the community being impassable due to rising waters.

Ballad Health: Everyone rescued from Unicoi County Hospital

The Highway 107 bridge is being monitored and may be closing at some point for safety reasons, according to EMA officials. Bridges already closed include Birds, Chuckey Pike and Buckingham bridges.

Greene County EMA Director Heather Sipe said a shelter has been opened at Asbury United Methodist Church at 201 South Main Street. Sipe said people should park and enter at the back of the church. All residents are encouraged to bring personal items and medications to the shelter. The church is working to get drinking water.

Potable water distribution is available for residents only at the south side of the Ernest Bridge, Chuckey Pike Bridge and the Chuckey Utility District’s Office. There is a 20-gallon limit, and you must bring your own containers.

Roan Mountain

Roan Mountain was evacuated Friday morning, and several other parts of Carter County were devastated by flooding, like Hampton High School.

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter for those seeking refuge at Cloudland High School, 476 Cloudland Drive, in Roan Mountain.

Elizabethton/Carter County

The Elizabethton Carter/Carter County Emergency Management Agency announced that Elizabethton High School, Hampton Elementary, Cloudland High, Unaka High and Happy Valley High are all available for shelters and any county fire station.

A shower trailer will be available at the TLC Community Center beginning Saturday afternoon. There will also be food, clothing and hygiene products at the Stoney Creek Volunteer Fire Department on Hope Street near Hunter Elementary School.

The Broad Street / US 321 Bridge and the East Elk Avenue bridge are closed until further notice. The City of Elizabethton provided three alternate routes below:

BROAD STREET AND ELK AVENUE BRIDGE CLOSURES ALTERNATE ROUTES

• From Johnson City to Hampton and Roan Mountain: From Johnson City, turn right onto Mary Patton Highway from West Elk Avenue.

• Broad Street Extension: Broad Street Extension will either turn right toward Piney Flats or left toward Roan Mountain.

• Broad Street to Highway 19-E and Stoney Creek: Turn left onto Old Bristol Highway. For small vehicles going toward Stoney Creek turn left onto Lover’s Lane. For all other traffic including large trucks, follow Old Bristol Highway to the Dollar Store and turn right to Highway 19-E.

Washington County, Tenn.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) issued a report at 1:16 p.m. Friday that confirmed Washington County officials had also ordered evacuations in Embreeville.

The Washington County/Johnson City EMA issued an advisory at 3:20 p.m. asking all residents to only respond to instructions from official agencies.

“Rescue efforts can be impeded by Good Samaritans who, with the best of intentions, are responding to social media posts for help,” the EMA stated. “Moreover, these well-meaning neighbors may be placing themselves in harm’s way. Please direct any emergency needs to 911, to ensure they are handled safely by professionals.”

• South Central Elementary School at 2955 TN-107, Chuckey, TN, has opened a shelter.

• David Crockett High School is open for shelter, food, warm showers, or as a charging station. The school will open at 7 a.m. on Sunday, please bring your own chargers.

• A new flood relief station is open on Sunday at 1790 Nolichucky Jack Way in Telford.

WATCH: Drifting boat ripped below bridge as Roan Mountain floods

Hawkins County

In Hawkins County, residents have been advised to shelter in place, according to TEMA.

Lynn Campbell, Hawkins County 911 Executive Director, said, “In response to the devastating weather events caused by Hurricane Helene, which impacted Carter County throughout the day, Hawkins County 911 has deployed two telecommunicators as part of the Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT). At the request of the Tennessee TERT state coordinator, our team was dispatched to Carter County 911 at approximately 5:00 PM today.”

Volunteer High School will be open on Sunday as a charging station. The charging station will be open in the library until 7 p.m.

Unicoi Co./Erwin

Interstate 26 in Unicoi County has been closed entirely due to flooding.

Ballad Health confirmed Friday afternoon that more than 50 people were rescued on the roof of the Unicoi County Hospital by helicopter.

• There is a shelter at Unicoi County High School.

• Faith Baptist Church, 2307 Temple Hill Rd: refuge shelter with deputies on site offering help.

Unicoi County is under curfew from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m. until further notice.

Smyth County/Marion

• The Smyth County Health Department and Red Cross opened two emergency shelters, Marion Senior High and Brookside Baptist Church in Sugar Grove.

Johnson Co./Mountain City

Johnson County’s shelter is open at First Christian Church of Mountain City, 401 W. Main Street, after the mayor declared a state of emergency.

An emergency shelter has been established at First Christian Church of Mountain City, 401 W Main Street.

Washington County, VA

The Washington County, Virginia’s Emergency Declaration has issued a curfew for the Town of Damascus beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday. A release from the county said the curfew will be reevaluated on Saturday.

Washington County Sheriff Blake Andis said, “A curfew following today’s devastating flood in Damascus is an appropriate step.”

• The county has a shelter at Highlands Fellowship Church, 134 Commerce Court, Bristol, Virginia, off exit 7.

Wise County

The Wise County Office of Emergency Management said that Carnes Gym in Big Stone Gap and Coeburn Middle School are open as emergency shelters beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Any residents who require oxygen therapy are encouraged to bring their concentrators to charge. For transportation assistance, contact the Wise County Dispatch at 276-328-3756.

Second Harvest of Northeast Tennessee is handing out food and water to eight county shelters and emergency management crews.

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn issued the following statement to Tennesseans:

“All Tennesseans impacted by flash flooding and severe weather should follow local guidance and evacuation protocols carefully. We are working with local officials to ensure public safety, and I encourage every Tennessean to avoid dangerous areas and heed the direction of emergency personnel if traveling. We stand ready to assist and help secure any federal assistance that may be necessary.”

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

Russell County

• Lebanon Lifesaving Crew station: Shower facilities from 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept 29. Bottled water will be available, as well as access to charge electronics, BYO charger. No handicap-accessible facilities.

• “If anyone has unused oxygen cylinders they would like to donate to Russell County Emergency Management, please reach out.” — Town of Lebanon

• “Here are a few steps patients can take prior to calling 911 if it is not an active emergency (patients who are running out of oxygen immediately, experiencing difficulty breathing, or experiencing a life or limb-threatening health emergency should call 911 immediately)”

  • 1- Reach out to relatives with electricity to see if they can temporarily accommodate the patient so home oxygen units can be utilized until electricity is restored.

  • 2- Contact your home oxygen supply company and make them aware of the situation and to determine if oxygen is available through your company.

  • 3- Please be aware that EMS agencies will respond to 911 calls but we can not guarantee the availability of portable oxygen cylinders. Patients can be transported to the hospital for oxygen administration in case of emergency.

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